valve cover

[fejcharson]

I took off the valve covers on my 2001 Chevy Tahoe 5.3 and the top of the drivers side cover was coated in a thick light brown sludge. The passenger side looked normal. I have been losing coolant for some time now but haven't been able to find where it is coming from. Does this point to a cracked head or is this normal when a valve cover gasket is leaking? I have some pictures below what the valve cover looked like.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[swathdiver]

That goo is part of your coolant. You've got a cracked head or a blown head gasket unfortunately.

 

[fejcharson]

alright

 

[swathdiver]

That's what I was thinking. Is there anyway to know if its the cracked head or the head gasket? I cant't see the casetech logo on the head to tell if it was part of the bad ones.

Well, you can pull the rockers and pushrods and look down in there for any obvious cracks. Alternatively, you can pressurize the cooling system and look there again but the bolt holes under the valve covers are common places for cracking too.

I'm sure someone will chime in with a better way and more experience. Hold tight.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Visual inspection is pretty much the way to go. If you need help, you can get UV dye you add to your coolant then shine a blacklight around. Either way: Heads are going to have to come off. The only question is whether or not you're decking them or replacing them

 

[SnowDrifter]

I would also add: DON'T drive the vehicle until its fixed. Coolant ruins the lubricity of the oil, and something like a head job can turn into a full engine replacement or rebuild if left unchecked.

 

[Doubeleive]

based on previous reports I would have to lean towards a cracked head, blowing a head gasket on these engines is almost unheard of

 

[fejcharson]

Thank you all for your input.

 

[afpj]

Get an oil analysis from Blackstone labs, that can give you a clue if you have excess bearing wear if lead an iron are high (IIRC)

 

[SnowDrifter]

Get an oil analysis from Blackstone labs, that can give you a clue if you have excess bearing wear if lead an iron are high (IIRC)

IIRC

Bearing wear would be lead, and depending on the bearing comp, copper too.

Iron would be cylinder walls, timing set

Chromium from the rockers

Molybdenum/aluminum from pistons and rings

 

[muncie21]

If you're capable of replacing the head yourself, you should be able to complete the job in a day, 2 max. There are tons of these motors around, so finding a used head in good condition (or a re manufactured one) should be easy and relatively cheap. Material costs are pretty minimal, so I'd recommend changing it yourself if you have the time, know-how (or desire to know) and a few bucks..less than $200 is my guess.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Don't forget to have the machine shop deck your heads. Don't care if they're new or pull offs. Get 'em done

Block would be ideal but a large piece of cast iron is a fair bit less prone to warping than a piece of aluminum