Hi, sorry if this is a dumb question, but my Cherokee DJ 2.5TD developed a coolant leak from the back of the engine near the top, just below the heads, so I took off the heads expecting to see a cracked head or busted head gasket. But I can,t see any issues apart from a white residue under the head gasket. Could the gasket be gone without Andy breaks in it?

 

A photograph of the residue will be helpful.

But in general you can have a leak with an intact appearing gasket. The gasket need not tear to leak. A warped head can cause a leak, so before re assembly check the head for flatness with straight edge, check likewise the engine block. a loose head bolt can also cause a leak with a un torn gasket. corrosion can also cause a leak.

Again... Assure the head has not been warped.

 

Cheers Rob,here are some pictures, of the block, I dont know if this helps.

 

Coolant leaves a white residue as it evaporates, and you said it was leaking back there, so thats my guess as to what that stuff is. Lift the gasket and look it over. Same with the head and block, as best you can.

 

Lift the gasket off and you may see sign of the leak path. but remember it is foolish to install new gasket without inspecting head for flatness, You need a fairly long straight edge for this, not so long for a four cylinder, but long enough. you must check flatness front to back, and side to side and diagonally.

 

Thanks Lads, i'll have a closer look, thanks for your help, i'll post back what the issue was.

 

Hi lads

i had a closer look at the head where the leak was coming from, was wondering if these marks could cause the coolant to leak.

 

Id be inclined to polish the marks out a bit. they do appear to extend to the water passage which might cause the seal to fail there. The gasket often have a crush ring around the water passage holes. that ring needs to do the sealing by crushing into any imperfections in head or block. If scratches are too deep, too steep, then the crush gasket may not seal well so sand i.e. polish them out near the passage. far from the passage it is not an issue, but if in the zone of the crush gasket ring, then yes it might be a leak source. They may be ok, maybe not. Is this where leak occured? does used gasket show matching marks from this area?


good lucky! Have Funny!