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05-08-2020, 08:59 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3
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Foaming coolant
Is foaming coolant (about 50/50 anti-freeze/distilled water) an indication of a blown head gasket?
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05-08-2020, 09:01 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,513
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Re: Foaming coolant
Typically. It could also be a crack in the head or block where combustion gasses are entering the coolant.
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05-08-2020, 09:12 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 131
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Re: Foaming coolant
I had foaming after 10 miles at 50 MPH. Looked like whipped cream. Made me sick. No overheating indicated. Had cheap antifreeze, tap water, and off brand stop leak. Drained it all put in 50/50 Prestone, distilled water. No problem since. I suspect it was a mixture of what I put in the radiator that just got whipped into a foam, went all over the windshield and hood. Stopped and put 1/2 gallon of water in and continued 35 mile trip. No problem since.
Just my personal experience. Hope you discover something as simple. |
05-08-2020, 09:39 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
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Re: Foaming coolant
Foaming is an indication that the water pump is mixing air into the coolant. This may be the result of:
>Coolant type or additive; >Restriction in the coolant inlet route to the pump. In many cases a thermostat in the coolant outlet hose to the radiator solves the problem. Another cure is run a stock radiator cap instead of a flip-top cap.
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Bob Bidonde |
05-08-2020, 12:01 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Northwest CT
Posts: 1,092
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Re: Foaming coolant
Yep. The air getting whipped into the system is likely combustion gas leaking past the head gasket. Any idea which head gasket your engine has on it?
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05-08-2020, 12:22 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 433
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Re: Foaming coolant
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05-08-2020, 02:13 PM | #7 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma
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Re: Foaming coolant
Quote:
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05-08-2020, 03:18 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 433
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Re: Foaming coolant
Stopping the water pump from turning reduces the chance of what Bob pointed out... air leaking in as the source of the foaming.
What you should see is nice big bubbles coming to the surface, especially when you speed up the engine a bit and create more pressure leaking thru the defective gasket surface. |
05-08-2020, 08:33 PM | #9 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3
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Re: Foaming coolant
Thanks to all. I'm pretty sure it's a blown head gasket or crack in the block or head. I'll try a couple of these tests and see what happens.
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05-08-2020, 11:06 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Saint Cloud Mn
Posts: 745
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Re: Foaming coolant
A leak down test will tell you everything you need to know.
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05-08-2020, 11:18 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 880
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Re: Foaming coolant
A lot of good suggestions. The first thing I would do before tearing it all apart is re-torque the head. It may prevent a lot of heartburn. Then proceed from there. Good luck.
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The Master Cylinder Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal... |
05-09-2020, 10:00 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
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Re: Foaming coolant
An alternate test for exhaust gas in the coolant - Block Test Kit, tests the air in the upper radiator tank for exhaust gas. Can easily do yourself, or check around at radiator shop or your local independent shops. Usually cheaper on amazon.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7001006 |
05-10-2020, 09:01 AM | #13 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Northwest CT
Posts: 1,092
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Re: Foaming coolant
Quote:
That's the kit I have. Here is what a slight leak looks like, a bad leak should turn the fluid yellow. |
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