tz375 wrote:If it's blowing out of the overflow when it's hot and running hard, it's possible that you won't smell it, but you could try routing the overflow hose into a plastic bottle and see if it collects anything.
I had a couple hours to mess with the bike after Easter dinner.Suzukidave wrote:Talking about torquing , have you tried giving the head bolts a torque test before you remove it just to see if that could be the problem ?
1. I checked the torque on the head bolts. The torque was good on all of the bolts.
2. I removed the radiator cap and took it to the Autozone around the corner to test. Spec says 13psi. It leaked at 11ish. Bought a new cap for a 78 F150. Tested it in the store at 13 and change. They also let you borrow the tool to test the cooling system.
3. Back around the corner to the house. I pull the spark plugs and pressurize the system to 20psi for about 15 minutes. The plugs look great color wise. The gauge doesn't leak down at all. I am cooking with gas now so I return the pressure tester.
4. I refill the radiator to the bottom tang and button things up with the new cap, except for putting the overflow house in a plastic bottle on the side of the bike.
5. I start the bike and a tiny bit of coolant immediately winds up in the bottle. I am thinking it was left over in the line so I dump it out and let the bike idle for a couple more minutes.
6. Time for a test ride. I take street out of the neighborhood and wait for the red light. Bottle still looks empty. I run it through the gears and at the next light look down and see antifreeze in the bottle so I head for home. Total ride was roughly 3 miles.
When I got home I took one picture and a quick video. I am thinking that even though it pressure tested good at 20 psi and has a new cap, the head gasket is leaking based on the air bubbles in the antifreeze in the bottle.
This should be a video if you click on it.
Is it time to remove the head?
Thanks for all of your help so far.
Rich