Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Hi All,




I installed a new BEST HG the copper one but it has these little black bubbles of goop coming from it. Right where the head and block come together and I did not use any black goop. I sprayed it with copper kote and then assembled and torqued it down. I will take pics when I get home but does anyone have an ideas as to what it may by?


Mike

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Exhaust gas? Head gasket leaking?

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

The bubbles are on both sides of the engine. I am running antifreeze and I hope it isn't leaking out.


Mike

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Retorque !just my 2 cents get rid of antifreeze! Try it without AF, distilled water and a rust inhibitor Napa 3200!

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Did you hav teh head magnafluxed and ground?


I am sure this is not it, but is your oil clean?

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Ok after I got home from the shop where I was able to get her alignment done I looked a little closer at the bubbles. They are green and not black-with a copper one thrown in for fun. So that tells me the AF is getting out somehow. I have retorqued the head after each run just to make sure and I am getting clicks on all of the nuts except one or two. The head was planed although it is possible the block has a dip in it as I did not plane it this last time. Is there something I can add to the water so that it sort of fill in that small gap? Pepper flakes?


Thanks,


Mike

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

I've read elsewhere that it is not uncommon for the copper head gasket with unhemmed (inner gasket material exposed) outer edges to weep even when everything else is good.


If the car is running well otherwise, not overheating and no bubbles in the coolant, I would say a can of stop leak will fix your problem.


You could do a combustion gas test to be sure. The kit is ~$35 on amazon.

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

ALUMASEAL powdered stop leak works and won't gum up the radiator.

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

I would not do the pepper thing. I once saw a bunch of solidified something in the bottom of a bad tractor radiator tank once, that my dad took apart. When asked he told me he suspected it was black pepper.


Not sure what it would do to the core, would not want to risk it. Perhaps others can chime in on known possible bad effects of pepper

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Put pepper on your steak or salad not the radiator, that is a Laurel & Hardy trick!

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Try the alumaseal and re-torque, re-torque, especially the "one or two..............". JMO
Paul in CT

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Do the above instructions you will never have a head leaking problem! follow exactly!

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

The black gooey stuff is a creosote kind of mix from engine gas explosions leaking out the gasket. Head gaskets replaced normally require being re-torqued after a run or so! At this point, re-torque the head and add a brand of coolant sealer recommended by others. Lots of brands work. But there are some favorites of model A Ford folks.

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

Are you letting it cool before retorqueing?

Re: Black goop coming from head gasket
 

I am retorqueing both warm and cold. Since apparently ford says to do it warm I will do it after a run and then when she is stone cold.


Mike