head gasket or injector cup???

[pawsranch3]

i thought i might have a head gasket out but i am leaning mor toward a injector cup??? first off there is a LOUD knock, the rocker assembly is operating properly. second, the cooling system is contaminated and pressurized. third, there is a lot of white/gray smoke. the blowby coming out of the intake tube is sorta sticky if you put your hand in it. what do yall think, i am at my wits end!!!!!
thanks yall

 

[95_stroker]

Your loud knock scares me, neither a HG or injector cup should result in a loud knock. Is there any water in the oil?

 

[pawsranch3]

i dont notice any water in the oil, but there appears to be fuel in the coolant and the coolant is pressurized. my oil level is staying consistant

Your loud knock scares me, neither a HG or injector cup should result in a loud knock. Is there any water in the oil?

 

[95_stroker]

Pull the injectors (easier than doing a head) and pressurize the cooling system and see if you get a wet cup.

 

[JLDickmon]

i dont notice any water in the oil, but there appears to be fuel in the coolant and the coolant is pressurized. my oil level is staying consistant

rut-roh, Raggy...
who do you know with a heated garage?

 

[pawsranch3]

what is the easiest way to pressurize the cooling system. i know that there is a special tool to do this but i am trying to get most of the diagnostics out of the way while i am home today!!!!!

Pull the injectors (easier than doing a head) and pressurize the cooling system and see if you get a wet cup.

 

[pawsranch3]

i just pulled the passenger side valve cover and there is a sludgy creamy thick white buildup on the underside of the valve cover? what does that mean????

Pull the injectors (easier than doing a head) and pressurize the cooling system and see if you get a wet cup.

 

[jeaton]

well i just replace all 8 cups on my early 99 and there was NO sludg under either valve cover. The tool used to pressureize the system can be bought at about any parts store, i got mine at sears. I hate to say it but you might have poped a gasket!

 

[dpantazis]

the other source of oil in coolant is the the oil cooler going bad. that would not account for pressurized coolant system though.

are you keeping up on your SCA additive? you might have a perforated liner that is pressurizing the coolant too.

there is a 'test kit' for diagnosing combustion gasses in the coolant. a good diesel shop should be able to do it to see of their are combustion byproducts in the coolant indicating either a bad head gasket or perf'd cylinders.

7.3's head gasket failures are rare, but they do happen.

either way, its not a good thing on christmas to diagnose a sick truck.

dp

 

[bushpilot]

what is the easiest way to pressurize the cooling system. i know that there is a special tool to do this but i am trying to get most of the diagnostics out of the way while i am home today!!!!!

Craftsman Cooling System Pressure Tester - Model 70888 at Sears.com