A.Spagnuolo

My truck is a 1991 w250 non I/c 5 speed. I have been fighting over heating for a while now. I have replaced thermostat, radiator cap, and flushed radiator out several times. It tends to get hot not very long after starting and temp gauge seems to jump around. It wants to push the antifreeze in overflow bottle. When you shut truck off can hear water bubbling and running into bottle. The coolant tends to turn brown. Doesn't matter how many times you flush it out still turns brownish. When I got truck a year ago it had oil in the antifreeze and I replaced oil cooler and it solved problem. I have been getting a lot of white smoke when start up especially when its colder out. Smells real bad like strong diesel. I don't know if connected or not. Does it sound like I have a bad head gasket? How can I check for sure to make sure? Thanks

jimbo486

I would start by pressurizing the system when the engine is cold. Let it sit for a while, an hour or so, to see if it holds 15-16psi as it's designed to.

j_martin

Next test would be to have a reasonably well equipped shop run a combustion products test on the coolant, or rather the space over the coolant.

A.Spagnuolo

Figured it out. Took fan belt off and ran some (wont run water pump). It didnt build the pressure so that told me probably not head gasket. Took radiator to a local shop. It was plugged up very bad. They put me a core they had in it. It is working great now. I have a intercooler and piping from a 93 truck. Would it just bolt right on this truck? It is a 91 so it has the newer front grille. Also i have been wanting to up grade turbo. I have pump turned up and getting alot of black smoke. What do you guys think or reccomend?