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Best Selling Genuine Isuzu Head Gaskets

  • We Stock the following top leading brands, including Apex, Victor Gaskets, Elwis
  • Constantly Updated Inventory of Isuzu Replacement Head Gasket Parts

We stock Head Gasket parts for most Isuzu models, including Rodeo, Trooper.

Apex
1997 Isuzu Oasis Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 4 Cyl 2.2L Apex

P311-35994A0    AHG127  New

Qty:
$43.33
Apex Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
Brand: Apex
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
1997 - Isuzu Oasis L 4 Cyl 2.2L - 2156
Apex
1999 Isuzu Oasis Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 4 Cyl 2.3L Apex

P311-476844F    AHG139  New

Qty:
$21.26
Apex Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
Brand: Apex
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
1999 - Isuzu Oasis L 4 Cyl 2.3L - 2234
Apex
2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS Engine Cylinder Head Gasket - Left 6 Cyl 3.5L Apex

P311-1262526    AHG317L  New

Qty:
$34.39
Apex Engine Cylinder Head Gasket Left
Brand: Apex
Position: Left
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Position Block Engine CID CC
2001 - Isuzu VehiCROSS Left V 6 Cyl 3.5L - 3475
Victor Gaskets
1997 Isuzu NPR Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 8 Cyl 5.7L Victor Gaskets

P311-134D25A    1178BS  New

3758440 , 3836498 , 3830711 , 7733SH-1 , HG31600 , 3911088 , 1564448 , 3995633 , 3748768 , 3783631 , 3731324

Qty:
$10.63
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • MAHLE Performance Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Beaded Steel
  • Product Attributes:
    • Cylinder Bore Diameter: 4.10
    • Grade Type: Performance
    • Thickness: 0.020
    • Unit of Measure: Cc
    • Volume: 4.1
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
  • Suggested Purchase Quantity: 2
    • Most jobs typically require 2 of this item.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Engine VIN Block Engine CID CC
1997 - Isuzu NPR R V 8 Cyl 5.7L 350 -
Victor Gaskets
2001 Isuzu NPR-HD Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 8 Cyl 5.7L Victor Gaskets

P311-3D3AC95    1178SG  New

1003 , 8651 PT

Qty:
$44.75
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • MAHLE Performance Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Graphite 4.160in Combustion Chamber Opening with Contoured Combustion Chamber with Stainless Steel Flanges
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: Head Gasket
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Graphite
    • Item Grade: High Performance
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
  • Suggested Purchase Quantity: 2
    • Most jobs typically require 2 of this item.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Engine VIN Block Engine CID CC
2001 - Isuzu NPR-HD R V 8 Cyl 5.7L 350 -
Victor Gaskets
2004 Isuzu Ascender Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 8 Cyl 5.3L Victor Gaskets

P311-0F804EE    54441  New

26191 PT , 12558940 , 1160L , 8-12575-329-0 , 9292 PT , 1160R , 12575329

Qty:
$44.89
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Multi-Layered Steel Consolidated MLS Design
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: Head Gasket
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Multi-layered Steel
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
  • Suggested Purchase Quantity: 2
    • Most jobs typically require 2 of this item.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
2004 - Isuzu Ascender V 8 Cyl 5.3L 325 5328
Victor Gaskets
1997 Isuzu Hombre Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 4 Cyl 2.2L Victor Gaskets

P311-37B22A6    4023  New

10141913 , 617KX , 9170 PT-1 , 24576547

Qty:
$17.42
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Composite
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: Head Gasket
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Composite
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
1997 - Isuzu Hombre L 4 Cyl 2.2L 134 2190
Victor Gaskets
2000 Isuzu Hombre Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 6 Cyl 4.3L Victor Gaskets

P311-1E2121F    5744  New

10066080B , 522SD , 510SD , 035-2000 , 10105110 , 9354 PT-1 , 10066080 , HG32680 , 12552362

Qty:
$12.43
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Single-Sided Graphite
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: None
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Single-sided Graphite
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
2000 - Isuzu Hombre V 6 Cyl 4.3L 262 -
Victor Gaskets
2000 Isuzu Hombre Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 4 Cyl 2.2L Victor Gaskets

P311-5B28D5C    54051  New

24575420 , HG34370 , HG34365 , 9170 PT-1

Qty:
$17.08
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Graphite
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: Head Gasket
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Graphite
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
2000 - Isuzu Hombre L 4 Cyl 2.2L 134 2190
Victor Gaskets
1999 Isuzu Oasis Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 4 Cyl 2.3L Victor Gaskets

P311-5AD8980    54216  New

9958 PT-1 , 12251-P0A-004 , HG33662 , 035-1941 , 12251-PAA-A01 , 12251-PAA-A02

Qty:
$41.06
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Multi-Layered Steel
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: Head Gasket
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Multi-layered Steel
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
1999 - Isuzu Oasis L 4 Cyl 2.3L - 2234
Victor Gaskets
1991 Isuzu Trooper Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 6 Cyl 2.8L Victor Gaskets

P311-509E8B9    3549  New

512SD , 14085435 , 10118604 , 476571 , HG32640 , 8699 PT-2 , 14090561

Qty:
$14.49
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Composite
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: Head Gasket
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Composite
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
  • Suggested Purchase Quantity: 2
    • Most jobs typically require 2 of this item.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
1991 - Isuzu Trooper V 6 Cyl 2.8L - 2827
Victor Gaskets
1996 Isuzu Trooper Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 6 Cyl 3.2L Victor Gaskets

P311-3F8C2B8    54038  New

HG34340 , 8-97019-361-0 , 8-97019-361-1 , 9174 PT

Qty:
$40.34
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Graphite
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: Head Gasket
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Graphite
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
  • Suggested Purchase Quantity: 2
    • Most jobs typically require 2 of this item.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
1996 - Isuzu Trooper V 6 Cyl 3.2L - 3165
Victor Gaskets
2002 Isuzu NPR-HD Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 8 Cyl 5.7L Victor Gaskets

P311-41978E3    5746  New

10105117 , 7733 PT-2 , 14085905 , 10066082B , 10066082 , 462691 , 8-10105-117-0

Qty:
$22.21
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • MAHLE Performance Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Single-Sided Graphite
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: None
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Single-sided Graphite
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
  • Suggested Purchase Quantity: 2
    • Most jobs typically require 2 of this item.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Engine VIN Block Engine CID CC
2002 - Isuzu NPR-HD R V 8 Cyl 5.7L 350 -
Victor Gaskets
2006 Isuzu NPR-HD Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 8 Cyl 6.0L Victor Gaskets

P311-1C8C2D3    54445  New

12 58 9227 , 1161R , 12558936 , 9199 PT , 12589227 , 1161L , 26192 PT

Qty:
$50.59
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Multi-Layered Steel
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: Head Gasket
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Multi-layered Steel
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
  • Suggested Purchase Quantity: 2
    • Most jobs typically require 2 of this item.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Engine VIN Block Engine CID CC
2006 - Isuzu NPR-HD U V 8 Cyl 6.0L 364 5967
Victor Gaskets
2006 Isuzu Ascender Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 8 Cyl 5.3L Victor Gaskets

P311-3E68FED    54442  New

12558809 , 12589226 , 8-12589-226-0 , 1160R , 12558810 , 9284 PT , 26190 PT , 1160L , 88894342 , 12 58 9226

Qty:
$38.79
Victor Gaskets Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Multi-Layered Steel Consolidated MLS Design
  • Product Attributes:
    • Additional Package Contents: Head Gasket
    • Cylinder Head Gasket Material: Multi-layered Steel
    • Item Grade: Oem Standard
  • MAHLE Original® gaskets provide world class sealing products trusted by OEMs & Technicians around the globe.
  • Suggested Purchase Quantity: 2
    • Most jobs typically require 2 of this item.
Brand: Victor Gaskets
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
2006 - Isuzu Ascender V 8 Cyl 5.3L 325 5328
Elwis
1989 Isuzu Amigo Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 4 Cyl 2.6L Elwis

P311-18B83CC    W0133-1625380  New

Qty:
$21.14
Elwis Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Production: 09/1988-
Brand: Elwis
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC Prod. Date Range
1989 - Isuzu Amigo L 4 Cyl 2.6L - 2559 Fr:09-00-88
Elwis
1991 Isuzu Trooper Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 4 Cyl 2.6L Elwis

P311-18B83CC    W0133-1625380  New

Qty:
$21.14
Elwis Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
Brand: Elwis
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC
1991 - Isuzu Trooper L 4 Cyl 2.6L - 2559
Elwis
1988 Isuzu Pickup Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 4 Cyl 2.6L Elwis

P311-18B83CC    W0133-1625380  New

Qty:
$21.14
Elwis Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Production: 12/1987-
Brand: Elwis
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC Prod. Date Range
1988 - Isuzu Pickup L 4 Cyl 2.6L - 2559 Fr:12-00-87
Elwis
1991 Isuzu Rodeo Engine Cylinder Head Gasket 4 Cyl 2.6L Elwis

P311-18B83CC    W0133-1625380  New

Qty:
$21.14
Elwis Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Production: 05/1990-
Brand: Elwis
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Block Engine CID CC Prod. Date Range
1991 - Isuzu Rodeo L 4 Cyl 2.6L - 2559 Fr:05-00-90
Elwis
1988 Isuzu Trooper Engine Cylinder Head Gasket Elwis

P311-18B83CC    W0133-1625380  New

Qty:
$21.14
Elwis Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
  • Production: 07/1987-
Brand: Elwis
Additional Fitment Information:
Vehicle Prod. Date Range
1988 - Isuzu Trooper Fr:07-00-87

Latest Isuzu Repair and Head Gasket Installation Advice

CarJunky AutoAdvice

1990 isuzu trooper

Showing 2 out of 2 Posts
Question From randy hardy on 1990 isuzu trooper

how big a job is repacing the head gasket on an isuzu trooper. 1990 modle

Response From AutoTech1971 Top Rated Answer

Hey Randy
Autozone has some pretty good repair info for your Isuzu on there website, click the link for the cylinder head replacement:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/18/3b/c0/0900823d80183bc0.jsp

1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo White Smoke Exhaust

Showing 5 out of 11 Posts | Show 6 Hidden Posts
Question From branman1971 on 1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo White Smoke Exhaust

1988 Izuzu Impulse
2.0 4ZCI Turbo Intercooler
104,000 miles

Runs and drives great, smooth running and smooth idleing. It blows white smoke from exhaust pipe once it warms up. The smoke has a coolant smell, not an oil burning smell. The warmer the motor gets the more smoke coming out, but does not overheat. Oil looks good, not milky. Neighbor told me that turbo might be bad but I don't know.

Response From branman1971

Ok new development. Now there is no smoke coming from tailpipe. I let it run and get hot and the smoke quit. Maybe there was moisture in the system somewhere and it just had to burn out??? I will start it again tomorrow and see if it starts to smoke again.

Response From Tom Greenleaf

The odor and increase noted in your first post still suggests this is a possible problem lurking. Pay a lot of attention to this. Gaskets can do just what you have seen and quit for a while,

T

Response From branman1971

Also must add that the car does not overheat and the oil appears normal, no water in the oil. So the head gasket could allow coolant to seep and then stop seepage once it warms up?

Response From Tom Greenleaf

The so called classic "blown gasket" can leak any which way it seals not just coolant in oil or coolant burning in combustion chamber. It doesn't have to overheat and certainly can tighten up when hot or cold at first. It can be a problem with metal parts and not actually the gasketing at all too.

Let's just say you have a warning to pay attention to and hopefully it's nothing and time will tell. These things don't "heal" and sealers tricks usually don't work or work for long and best avoided if you were thinking of that.

Just watch carefully for anything. Being early if there is a problem will help a lot,

T

Response From branman1971

I found a compression leak tester, and will try that this afternoon. That should confirm or eliminate the possibility of a bad head gasket or cracked head. Right?

Response From Tom Greenleaf Top Rated Answer

Diagnosing a head gasket is inconclusive till you are actually there. What you need/want is to be sure that you have to go there to find the real flaw - gasket or perhaps the head/manifild or block has the flaw.

This one seems like it's just started or may have even been a false alarm so far but you have the warning to keep an sharp eye on it. You may test when it's not having an issue and test will be inconclusive. When parts are off you can usually see where the trouble was and by then you are going to replace gasket anyway but still should send out head for machine shop inspection or risk a quick re-do of the job.

If you do find compression equally low in adjacent cylinders that does suggest problems between the two. The check list goes on. Coolant in oil, oil in coolant, exhaust gasses in cooling system, -- plain leaks to the outside possible. Spark plugs tell a tale too as to whether they are or have been exposed to burning coolant, oil and other problems. Always nice when they all look about the same.

The up front testing can prevent wasting all the work to find some other problem later that fooled you. Speaking for myself - I hate to make the call on head gaskets as they are lots of work and $$ and being wrong would really stink.

THIS COULD ADVANCE TO REAL BAD IN NO TIME so be ready for that. Anything that won't stay broken for testing is a mechanic's nightmare,

T

Response From branman1971

Understood, Thanks...Pulled spark plugs last night, all looked exactly the same, old and brown. Took some serious elbow grease to get them out too, never seen spark plugs so tight in the head. Put in new plugs, with never sieze, and will pull them back out tonight to see if they all look the same, as well as check for exhaust gasses in coolant system.

Response From Tom Greenleaf


That's just one on "fair" chart for plug reading. What's missing there is a super clean, could be very white compared to others indicates coolant burning. That cylinder if you can see in the hole would be cleaner too!

Note: The silver colored "anti-seize" for plugs works but just use the smallest dab on just the threads and ones with self sealing, non gasketed ones just a slight smear on that surface. I prefer silicone grease as is doesn't conduct electricity and if you make a mess in the boots, and up the insulator it alone can cause problems. Put those on the list to just replace anyway but they are good info as to what's going on in there.

Exhaust in coolant: There are testers OR just feel upper radiator hose when started from cold. It should take a while to build up pressure. If it builds up right away it suggests gasses are entering system AND if you remove (with all the cautions strickly adhered to) the pressure by loosening the cap or removing it for a look while warmish it may build up pressure again too soon - that's a strong clue of combustion gases getting in. In those cases the coolant is usually found too full at recovery tanks and the radiator low?? Overheats and poor or no heater operation would be common.

Right now this is info gathering for a diagnosis if you think you have time - always nice for something like this. Just don't let it overheat or contaminate the oil at the first blush of that finish up and FISH OR CUT BAIT!

There's a chance this was just a fluke. Weather extremes with cold then vehicle exposed to warm humid air quickly can make excessive white smoke (water/coolant) appearing exhaust for an extended time and would go away not to return. I've seen cars that water got in tailpipes make a scene for quite a while - kids playing, driving thru deep water and odd stuff like that.

The best part is you are watching closely as you always should but with the warning nice to catch it before an overheat is a surprise meltdown or oil floods full of coolant or something causing more damage than just gaskets.

I'm away for several hours now but check in constantly. Ask away. Others may be watching too and have input on this also. Good luck,

T

Response From branman1971

I let the car warm up to operating temperature today and when I turned it off I heard a faint hissing/gurgling sound on the driver side of the motor under the exhaust manifold. I couldn't see under the manifold but the side of the engine looked wet and coolant was dripping under the car. Considering pulling the head to see if it's the head gasket, even though the oil looks fine.

Response From Tom Greenleaf

Could leak that way as said. Take the chance while it's intact to really see it - mirrors or whatever. Clean it off when cold, pressure check even may show it exactly so you are sure of just what and where,

T

99 isuzu Rodeo Dead Cylinder

Showing 2 out of 2 Posts
Question From Regected on 99 isuzu Rodeo Dead Cylinder

I've been pounding my head against the bumper on this one for about two months now. Here is what I'm working on:

1999
Isuzu
Rodeo
2.2L inline 4
87k miles

I discovered about three weeks after I bought this rodeo that there was a slight leak in the head gasket. Water was leaking into the number 4 cylinder. Water was not getting into the oil, and the car was not burning oil, so I just put some stop leak in the radiator to limp it along until the weather warmed enough to replace the head gasket. This worked for about a month, but the loss of water got to bad to put the head gasket replacement off any more. The car never overheated in a melt down type of situation. Anytime it started running a little hot, we would pull over and put water in it. Since the car was just for my wife to run around town(5-10 miles a day tops), just topping off the radiator before setting out was sufficient.

When the head gasket was removed, it was obvious where the water was leaking; the head gasket was de-laminated and eroded between the main water journal and the number 4 cylinder. None of the cylinder walls looked scalded, the head measured to be dead flat and none of the valve seats looked unusually worn nor burnt, so I just cleaned everything up and reassembled the engine.

The test start was rough to say the least. It took about 5 minutes of cycling the key and cranking the motor to finally get it to start. It ran very very rough. I let it idle for a few minutes, and took it for a drive up the road and back(about a block) to see if it cleared up at slightly higher RPMs. Well, it did a little, but I noticed a serious vacuum leak. The nipple for the vacuum on the EGR broke loose. Simple fix to just remove the broken nipple from the hose and press the hose back onto the remaining nipple piece. This cleared most of the rough running, but not all of it.

With the engine running more smoothly, I decide it should be safe enough to take it to autozone to have them pull the diagnostic codes. Only two codes come up. One is a sending unit error(very common with the rodeo) and the other is a dead miss on number 3 cylinder. I confirmed this by pulling the plug boots off the plugs one by one, and pulling number 3 boot had no effect on the engine at all.

I put a compression tester on it, and every cylinder tested right around 150-155 PSI. The spark on number three was a little...weird for lack of a better term. It was sparking, but rather than being a thick blue spark in the 1/2 inch range like the other cylinders, it was a long thin white spark up to 2 inches in length. I replaced the ignition coil pack, and now it sparks just like the rest.

Having eliminated spark and compression, moved on to fuel. After letting the engine run for a few seconds, I pulled the spark plug from number 3, and it is soaked in gas. Not being satisfied with this as proving sufficient fuel, i swapped the injectors between cylinders 1 and 3. Still no change.

Using a screwdriver, I listened to the lifters through the valve cover. Number 3 was more noisy than the other 3, so I pulled off the valve cover and listened closer with a piece of hose. The noise is the same between all 4 lifters on number 3 cylinder, but different than the other 3 cylinders.

I'm stumped. Anyone have any ideas? The ignition timing is non-adjustable. This motor was built to be more of less idiot proof, but also dang near impossible to diagnose.

Response From Regected Top Rated Answer

UPDATE:

Just ran it back to autozone to pull the codes again. It came back with "multi cylinder misfire" as well as error code P1627, which I've been told is a malfunctioning sending unit in the fuel tank. Dang thing died on a 4 lane highway on the way back.

Tiny Bubbles in my coolant ... cooling system pressurizing

Showing 5 out of 10 Posts | Show 5 Hidden Posts
Question From 91 Isuzu 4ex1 on Tiny Bubbles in my coolant ... cooling system pressurizing

Hi All,

First post here. Have this nagging issue with our import, a 1991 Isuzu Stylus S with 1.6 SOHC 4-cylinder.

Originally I thought I was simply replacing a leaking head gasket due to coolant and oil leaks around #4 cylinder.

Removed the head and sent it to the shop for cleaning, checking and milling (shop replaced valve seals and cam seal from HG kit). Put it all back together and it burned 2 quarts of oil in 300 miles. Pulled it apart and removed and replaced the rings, honed the cylinders and re-installed the pistons.

After replacing the head a second time it was still burning oil, and now there was a lot of heat coming from the cooling system.

Removed the valve seals installed by the shop with new ones. Stopped burning oil. Noticed that pressurizing #4 while replacing the seals also pressurized the cooling system enough to force coolant out through the cap and hoses. Cylinders 3, 2 and 1 no problem.

Cars runs OK, 200 lb compression on all 4 cylinders. Oil level is good, but oil is getting black faster than I would expect. Coolant may be entering the engine when running (probably #4?), but no white smoke, no external leaks and no coolant in the oil. If the coolant is 'evaporating' (humor) or being burned it isn't very much, almost imperceptible. NOTE: Car just passed its e-test with flying colors.

I tried Irontite All Season sealant and that helped a little, but the engine is still pressurizing the cooling system. Coolant enters the recovery tank only when cold and the cap is released. BUT, coolant will not re-enter the rad from the recovery tank when cold.

I've built a number of engines (mostly NA 6 and 8 cylinders) and never had this much trouble before sealing an engine or installing head gaskets.

Question:

What am I missing? a) head gasket (AGAIN??) b) cylinder head? or c) block?

Response From re-tired

Sounds like you have a bad head . Take the intake mainifold off and static fill cvooling system (not running) Pressurize one cyl at a time, spray a soapy solutuion into head via intake ports watch for fizz. The machine shop may have missed a hairline crack.

Response From 91 Isuzu 4ex1

Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it.

Was leaning toward a cylinder head problem when I arrived at the forum, primarily because the cooling system:

  • Slowly pressurized only on #4 when doing the valve seals
  • Pressurized immediately when the engine started from cold
  • And coolant did not return to the cooling system when cold
    • I've been 'chasing' two separate issues - burning oil and anti freeze residue (a very small amount) in the exhaust that I'd never seen before in 45 years of tinkering with cars. I was beginning to doubt myself as well as the work done by others. Assumed (there's that word!) that the shop checked the head properly. The shop knew that car had over 200,000 KMs on it when I tore it down.

    As I tried to figure out where this re-build had gone bad, I began looking at what I had and tried to eliminate the things that it couldn't be. I knew it would have to be one of three things: the block, the HG or the head. Since I had good compression on all cylinders it appeared that the HG was fine, and once the valve seals were replaced (twice) it stopped burning oil. At that point I figured that I could be faced with a bad block or head. That's when I tried Irontite to see if it would seal the crack, and it sort of worked, exhaust was not laden with any anti freeze moisture (funny, no white smoke though).

    Since my garage is somewhat limited, and some of the repairs I have done (although inexpensive to this point) have been by process of elimination (sensors for emissions as an example), I can only approach this last niggling problem by pulling the head (AGAIN) and replacing it with a known good one. If my garage was ready with air and such so I could do this as recommended I certainly would. I truly believe that doing it as recommended is the right thing to do, but without air it won't happen. And as I explained, we just moved and the compressor is over in a corner; - the garage needs to be wired, well you know the drill and now I'm whining, so I'll stop.

    When I take the head off, should I be able to see evidence of a crack from the water jacket to the interior of the cylinder, and what might it look like?

    The head and the intake have to go on together because of the way the common chamber wraps around the head. There's not a lot of room to get at the bolts that attach the intake to the head from behind; - everything, including the intake runner and common chamber makes getting at the bolts while the head is still on the car a nightmare.

    If it makes sense, I'll obtain a new head and swap it with the original and put it back together and see what happens. I'd take it somewhere and have it done, but my labor is cheap and money is also an issue or the garage would be better equipped to do this. New head is about $200+ shipping and core on eBay.

    Thoughts?

    (edited for clarity, not wishing to be argumentative)

    Response From Hammer Time

    I never saw any mention of overheating or coolant consumption here. That would be the main symptom of a compression leak to the cooling system. It wouldn't have anything to do with oil consumption.

    Response From 91 Isuzu 4ex1

    Good points.

    It was burning oil right after the head was originally replaced, 2 quarts in the first 300 miles. The theory at the machine shop was that now that the top end was sealed, the rings were in need of replacement. Once the rings seated it still puffed oil (and moisture) on start-up (valve seals) at the tailpipe and appeared to be running rich. So I wrestled that one to the ground, finally replacing not only the rings, but later the valve seals, valve seals in a head that my hands had not touched up until that point.

    Before I added the coolant sealer it had a 'hint' of anti freeze or moisture coming out the exhaust, but it was so little that it didn't create any white smoke. What was coming out the back was predominantly blue smoke. The blue smoke was present at start up, and during the break-in period (about 1500 miles) while the rings seated. But it never completely stopped, until I replaced the valve seals.

    The ECM and emissions are so 'caveman' that it is pre-OBDI and no one has a cable or diagnostic software to read the ECM in real time. Saturn SAAB Isuzu where we bought the car in 1991 used to have these tools, but when the brand disappeared the tools went with it. Actually that isn't completely true, the Lotus Elan group of people have cables and diagnostic software but I got the impression they thought the Isuzu Stylus was not even close to their 'breed' even though the engines (and likely the electrical systems) all come from GM Lotus and Isuzu development. But this is another topic, and I digress.

    The coolant issue manifested as excessive heat when the car was running. Ordinarily the cooling fans never come on, particularly when the ambient temperature is below 50 deg F. The fans will come on anytime the AC is activated however. Plus, the cooling system now began pressurizing at start-up. It also had small champagne bubbles. Adding the coolant sealer reduced the excess heat issue, but the cooling system was still pressurizing during run.

    I kept watching the recovery tank to see if the fluid went down, but it didn't appear to measurably, and standing behind the vehicle didn't give any indication of an anti freeze smell, or residue. As a bonus however, now that the valve seals have finally been replaced with new ones, it stopped puffing oil. Almost there, I guess.

    If you were a betting man, would you equally weigh the head and the block as a root cause, or lean toward one over the other and why?

    What else might help isolate it as one over the other (since I can't do the recommended diagnosis for the reasons stated earlier).

    I don't want to jump straight to a solution, but it looks like that is where I am.

    Response From Hammer Time

    That was a very long post of pretty much useless information.

    You don't have any coolant loss........
    You don't have extreme overheating........

    Your testing is flawed and I seriously doubt you have any head or head gasket issue but you sure will have a cooling problem if you continue to try to fix a non-existing problem by filling the system with sealer.

    Response From 91 Isuzu 4ex1

    Thanks for the replies.

    I'll end here.

    Response From Discretesignals

    I believe that if you pressurize a cylinder with compressed air from your air compressor and you see bubbles forming in the coolant that is a sign you have a sealing issue. Wether it is due to a poorly sealing head gasket, cracks in the head, or cracks in the cylinder bore, the head has to come off and the cause determined.

    Response From re-tired

    My point ezacly.

    Response From Hammer Time Top Rated Answer

    If you have compression leaking into the coolant system that severely, you will superheat the coolant with combustion gases and overheat in real short order which this car is not doing. You will also fill the cylinder with coolant on shutdown, if not all the time and this car is experiencing none of that so I really doubt the test findings here. I've never seen a head gasket open between combustion and water jacket that didn't overheat or consume coolant.