Head gasket woes?!

[audi90sportq]

Ok so picked up an 81 diesel caddy. PO Said wouldn't start and he blew the head gasket. Well I jumped the glow plugs and pulled the cold start and she grumbled to life.

It was over heating but the issue was no coolant flow due to clogged rad. So now it doesn't overheat, but the upper rad hose gets really pressurized! So I suspect the head gasket it pushing pressure into the system, but I'm not 100% sure

I need some input. There is no burning of coolant or mixing of coolant and oil.

[8v-of-fury]

IT is possible that upon refilling the system you have caused an air pocket right behind the thermostat on the water pump side of it. Thus allowing no hot coolant to reach it to allow it to begin opening, as they act thermally.

I would pop off the coolant hose that goes from the side of the head and in to the heater core and fill some more from there. So that it will go through the heater core and down to the backside of the thermostat. I have had this happen numerous times and thought it was a HG.

Now it still may be a head gasket.. but this is worth a shot before pulling the head.

[audi90sportq]

I'll try, but It blows good heat I think. It popped off the small line running to the resivour last drive so it spewed out all the coolant. I have the thermostat removed to rule that out

[maxfax]

Having the thermostat removed will actually cause issue..   When the stat opens on these it blocks the bypass hose (between the head and the water pump).. With no stat the coolant tends to flow though the bypass more than the radiator..    If you do want to run it sans t-stat, you gotta plug the bypass hose...

How long does it take for the system to pressurize?   If it happens almost instantly from dead cold, you got a HG going...

[R.O.R-2.0]

Having the thermostat removed will actually cause issue..   When the stat opens on these it blocks the bypass hose (between the head and the water pump).. With no stat the coolant tends to flow though the bypass more than the radiator..    If you do want to run it sans t-stat, you gotta plug the bypass hose...

How long does it take for the system to pressurize?   If it happens almost instantly from dead cold, you got a HG going...

didnt you shove a BIG AZZ ball bearing in your bypass hose?

[maxfax]

didnt you shove a BIG AZZ ball bearing in your bypass hose?

Actually it was a big plastic knob off the shifter on the lawn mower..  My dad was just complaining about that the other week when he had to mow for the first time this year... 

[745 turbogreasel]

I pulled my thermostat to the open position, and stuffed a big old bolt in it so it couldn't shut, then reinstalled.
Worked till I found a new one.