First off, HUGE thanks to you guys got the $500 rover running and rolling. Only thing is that it's thumping hard, my father-in-law was thinking exhaust leak. Replaced spark plugs but still thumping and backfiring/misfiring (after fuel was replaced with new fuel).

In the video you'll notice how the engine is thumping louder on the driver side than the passenger.

If any of this does not make sense you can blame the Coors.

 

Blown head gasket, blown to the outside of the block.

 

Would it be worth moving forward? What's the longevity of the engine after it's said and done?

-trei

 

I have a hard time believing it's a head gasket issue, we aren't losing any fluid and oil isn't sharing with coolant (issue I had with my outback a few years back).

 

You can prove if it's just a simple exhaust leak or an external HG leak by doing a Seafoam treatment thru the intake. With it sounding like a Spitfire it's probably a HG, but do a Seafoam treatment and you'll find out real quick.

 

Does not significantly affect longevity as long as you don't drive it like that very long. They start small, and get bigger. 10x the sound of an exhaust leak. You can feel it if you put your hand down by where the head meets the block - put a paper towel on a stick if you are not comfortable with putting your hand down there, you will see the towel jump. You can also verify via compression test. The coolant ports are at the ends of the block, and they will blow in the center and never leak water or oil, only compression.

 

@treicruz when my head gasket went I no problem other than an over pressurized cooling system. No overheat no coolant in the oil. That sounds like a HG to me and you have misfires exhaust leaks generally do not cause misfires.

Assuming only heads/head gaskets 10's of thousands if not more than 100 thousand miles, if the work is done properly. You may need lower end work but it is a 16 + year old engine.

 

I'd surely check for an exhaust leak at the y-pipe connection or exhaust manifold to head...first. When our 03 blew a head gasket externally...it sounded nothing like that...it was more of a spurting air sound, sharper and more defined, almost squeaky/chirping sounding and matched the rotation/firing order more...not so much of a exhaust leak sounding. Plus, you could see where the head gasket was missing and actually see compressed air leaking out (black residue on block and head).

Keep looking around and feeling around, while cool and before it gets to hot to touch...

Misfires could be something totally unrelated or 02's are over compensating for lean air mixture. Are you getting any codes?

Brian.

 

You can do a simple leak test on your exhaust. Hook a leaf blower up to the tail pipe, turn it on and spray down the whole exhaust with soapy water all the way to the exhaust manifold. Look for bubbles.

 

Here's the compression test we did. Codes that I'm getting on a BOSH 1000. P0418 P1300 P0301 P0302 P0304 P0308