failed block warning signs

[spitfire481]

Originally Posted by FRS Justin

I would assume it would push a freeze plug out before it would go thru the JB Weld.

agreed. unless you have way more than normal coolant pressure, that'll probably hold forever. if you have high coolant pressures, you have much larger problems lol

[themadscientist]

That's what I'm thinking. Since my new turbo is not water cooled I have a free threaded hole into the water jacket where I could stick a pressure sensor. I have plenty of extra gauges so I could use an oil or fuel pressure meter and relabel it OH SHIT!

[86kahl]

I mean, you have a replacement block coming. I'd cross my fingers, keep it on stock psi and keep the AAA card handy

[themadscientist]

That could be a problem since I'm going to be bolting one of these on it.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by themadscientist

That's what I'm thinking. Since my new turbo is not water cooled I have a free threaded hole into the water jacket where I could stick a pressure sensor. I have plenty of extra gauges so I could use an oil or fuel pressure meter and relabel it OH SHIT!

Now we are talking things up my alley! Through the years I have had no less than 4 engines that had cracks or holes in them from various different causes and "repairs" that were just as varied (including JB Weld). Like you have said you have no clue how long it will last. My results went from a month or so to 15 years and counting (as of last year when I last saw the guy with my old car).

From my experience your "Oh shit" gauge may as well be labeled "too late anyway" since if the repair fails bad enough to register on a gauge there will be no going back.

You said a new block right now is not an option anyway so throw it in, drive it and wait for the cloud of steam and oil that may or may not show up.

[themadscientist]

I don't care about the block. I just want to catch it before the rotating assembly gets hurt. I can always reuse it in the new block.

[Irace86]

Is that an area under lots of pressure? I can't tell.

Don't underestimate JB weld. In the welding industry, epoxies are supplying labor-cheap welds over conventional mig/arc/tig welds, and are actually stronger, last longer and have less of an error/fail rate.

[themadscientist]

It's part of a larger, um "scheme" if you will. There is epoxy smeared inside the water jacket and there are cracks running across the deck. It's really bad.

[Ultramaroon]

JB Weld is some amazing shit. Surface prep is key. If done right, I wouldn't be surprised if something else let go before that repair.