New Guy with problem

[JBohannon]

Just bought a 28 model A I can get the motor to run but have not got it all checked out yet as far as compression and such. But I think I may have a problem. I had the radiator cap off watching my coolant level while trying to start it. I think it backfired and coolant shout out the top of the radiator like a geyser. I am afraid to ask but what could that be.

[oljoe001]

Could be just a blown head gasket. If your lucky

[[email protected]]

It ain't that hard to pull a head and look. Head gaskets are "relatively" cheap. As a matter of fact I've got a house full of cheap relatives.

[30Ford]

do a compression check ,,,you will have bubbles in the radiator if the head gasket is gone

['lilredcoupe]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

It ain't that hard to pull a head and look. Head gaskets are "relatively" cheap. As a matter of fact I've got a house full of cheap relatives.

If that snot funny, you shouldn't be here! But seriously, the coolant system should not be affected by a back fire. The barrier between the combustion and coolant is the head gasket. There are other possibilities, but this is the "Keep it simple" diagnosis. This is a job you can handle with a little help from your friends.

[JBohannon]

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I realize when I said backfire I probably meant that I had a compression stroke to far advanced and it coughed back. Does that make sense. Thanks, guys. Joe B.

['lilredcoupe]

Makes good sense, but I still think y'oughta pull the head off and look where exhaust was passing across the coolant border. We like pictures too!

[columbiA]

Remove the fan belt,idle engine & watch for bubbles in top tank of rad.If so,then combustion gases are likely leaking into cooling system.If rad is badly plugged,then water could be forced out cap or overflow.

[steve s]

The exact same thing happened to me the first time we attempted to fire up a new rebuild two motors ago. It turned out that the rebuilder had left a shop rag tucked in the cylinder head. The water pump did what it could to deal with it, but local overheating quickly caused a geyser out the radiator. Probably not your situation.

A straw to grasp at before tearing things apart is to try retorquing the head bolts. You didn't say if your motor is a recent rebuild or maybe head replacement, but if so there is a good chance retorquing will fix it--unless you persist in running it loose, which will truly blow the gasket.

Steve