How accurate are TK tests?
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From: Milton on 19 May 2010 09:23 "Noddy" <me(a)home.com> wrote in message news:4bf3e3e6$0$89675$c30e37c6(a)exi-reader.telstra.net... > > "Clocky" <notgonn(a)happen.com> wrote in message > news:4bf3dccd$0$27790$c3e8da3(a)news.astraweb.com... > >> TK headcheck. Are you serious? > > Indeed I am. > > I've never heard of the term "TK test" before. I've only ever known the > procedure as a combustion gas test. > > -- > Regards, > Noddy. ROFLMAO and the backpedaling begins. Regards Milton
From: Noddy on 19 May 2010 09:17 "XR8 Sprintless" <xr8_sprint(a)hotmail.com> wrote in message news:4bf3d897$0$8764$c3e8da3(a)news.astraweb.com... > It's a test where they check the gases from the radiator overflow tank for > traces of exhaust gases. Basically they have a fluid that changes colour > if exhaust gases are present in the radiator overflow tank. A sample of > the air is drawn up into a huge syringe type thing with a bulb at the end > of it and it mixes with the fluid. Ah, okay. I've seen them but just never heard them called that before. Presumably the car's got a coolant loss problem, but the overflow tank probably isn't the best place to check for combustion gasses in the coolant. What car is it again? -- Regards, Noddy.
From: XR8 Sprintless on 19 May 2010 09:26 On 19/05/2010 11:10 PM, Milton wrote: > > That's a fair description XR8. The colour of the fluid is usually blue > and if the exhaust gas is present it will change to yellow. It should > only be done at normal operating temperatures. I take it the colour > changed to yellow and the car dealer is claiming inaccuracy by the > radiator guy? > > It will only change to yellow if the exhaust gasses are present. This > could indicate a stuffed head gasket or a warped head or both. If this > is the case you will also need to find out what caused the overheating > or it will just happen again. > I'm not sure that it is leaking fluid at the moment as there was a leak from the 'o' ring on the heater pipe that connects to the lower thermostat assembly, however the car is not starting properly in the mornings with it failing to start first time each time with lots of coughing and spluttering and then starting easily the next time you turn the key. This made me think that it was possibly a busted head gasket and I took it to the radiator shop as that was where I was advised to go to have the test done. In speaking to my usual mechanic when I left it there today, he advised that it could be blocked injectors or a faulty injector causing the problem although my description does sound like a head gasket issue. The car is not overheating although if you give it a bootfull in park there are drops of water coming from the exhaust. My mechanic is putting it under pressure overnight and will check the cylinders in the morning for water. Hopefully none and it is a problem with the injectors however if it is the head gasket then it will have to be fixed under statutory warranty. I am keeping a detailed log of my dealings with the dealer at the moment as well.
From: XR8 Sprintless on 19 May 2010 09:30 On 19/05/2010 11:17 PM, Noddy wrote: > "XR8 Sprintless"<xr8_sprint(a)hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:4bf3d897$0$8764$c3e8da3(a)news.astraweb.com... > >> It's a test where they check the gases from the radiator overflow tank for >> traces of exhaust gases. Basically they have a fluid that changes colour >> if exhaust gases are present in the radiator overflow tank. A sample of >> the air is drawn up into a huge syringe type thing with a bulb at the end >> of it and it mixes with the fluid. > > Ah, okay. I've seen them but just never heard them called that before. > Presumably the car's got a coolant loss problem, but the overflow tank > probably isn't the best place to check for combustion gasses in the coolant. > > What car is it again? > It's a 2002 AU Falcon wagon I bought about 3 weeks ago. It had a leak from the 'o' ring on the lower thermostat housing where the heater pipe I think goes in. However the issue is with starting in the morning. It never starts first time but coughs and splutters, then when you turn the key a second time it fires perfectly. It has a slight miss at idle as well and I originally thought it may be a faulty coil pack but had the exhaust gas check done on the advice of a customer who is a mechanic.
From: Noddy on 19 May 2010 10:01
"XR8 Sprintless" <xr8_sprint(a)hotmail.com> wrote in message news:4bf3e7ee$0$27826$c3e8da3(a)news.astraweb.com... > It's a 2002 AU Falcon wagon I bought about 3 weeks ago. It had a leak from > the 'o' ring on the lower thermostat housing where the heater pipe I think > goes in. However the issue is with starting in the morning. It never > starts first time but coughs and splutters, then when you turn the key a > second time it fires perfectly. It has a slight miss at idle as well and I > originally thought it may be a faulty coil pack but had the exhaust gas > check done on the advice of a customer who is a mechanic. So, is it using any water or is it just the starting issue that's the problem? The most common area for head gasket sealing problems with these engines is on the driver's side of the engine right under the exhaust manifold. The water jacket runs *very* close to the outside of the head in this area and it doesn't take much in the way of corrosion for a leak to occur. When it does it usually runs down the outside of the block, but it can be difficult to spot as being right under the exhaust manifold it tends to evaporate quite quickly and usually before it's had a chance to run down very far and become visible. The best way to check is from under the car looking up at the base of the head right under the manifold with a torch. If you see white coloured liquid stains on the side of the block in this area you've got problems. However, this is pretty unlikely to be the cause of your starting problems and without seeing the car first hand it's hard to know exactly what it would be. Coil packs on the things are often flakey and will display the symptoms you've described at times, but it could also be a fuel pressure issue with a marginal pump. I'd also check to make sure the front of the engine isn't covered with a shitload of grease & oil which can interfere with the crank position sensor. -- Regards, Noddy. |