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Detecting cracks in engines

Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:52 pm
by duckling
I was luckily able to notice and address a crack in the water jacket of my cylinder block and repair it after a freeze damage due to a weak coolant mix (came like that). The welder did a fine job, and the repair holds up to careful inspection.When installing the head, though, and after pumping coolant through the motor once more, I found the valve cover to be partially filled with coolant. I may have left the valve cover screws loose when I filled my cooling system, and I know I splashed quite a bit of coolant down into the frame. But I just notice that a water jacket surrounds my combustion chamber too. How likely of a place is the head to suffer freeze damage and crack? Is the valve train where I would find evidence of a leak and cracks in the head? Or how would I do so? May have to part this things out now... :shutup:

Re: Detecting cracks in engines

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 1:10 am
by thatkid
Water expands when it freezes. You could have cracks anywhere, internally or externally, including the inlet and exhaust ports. The FZR has an alloy cylinder block, and cylinder head. When water freezes, It will crack steel, and cast iron.

The powerful effects when water freezes inside any motor vehicle's cooling system, is/can be tragic!

Sorry.

Re: Detecting cracks in engines

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 2:04 am
by duckling
Thanks for the lecture in basic physics :duh: Anyone know about the existence of freeze plugs on this motor? What are the socket-headed bolt-looking things near the spark plugs?

Re: Detecting cracks in engines

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 2:21 am
by thatkid
My apologies, I was only trying to help, Having dealt with many motor cars, that stupid people, who refuse to spend a little money on antifreeze, then cry like babies. When their cylinder block/head is beyond repair. :whistle

Re: Detecting cracks in engines

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:55 pm
by haro504
water freezes and expands at about 10,000 psi hope that helps

Re: Detecting cracks in engines

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:53 pm
by thatkid
Ok @ the risk of insulting your intelligence again (which certainly was not my intention, some people don't know that fact I was only trying to be thorough)

Your term "freeze plugs" To my knowledge I think you are referring to "core plugs".

Core plugs are use during engine manufacture to blank holes, and oil galleries left by casting and machining processes. IF you are lucky they will pop out if the coolant freezes. Some however are screwed in and will not pop out. Sometimes on car engine's ball bearings are also used.

I have no idea if the FZR has such a thing as freeze plugs, or core plugs. You could look on the parts fiche to check, they could be listed there.

Re: Detecting cracks in engines

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:17 pm
by haro504
mawler wrote:Ok @ the risk of insulting your intelligence again (which certainly was not my intention, some people don't know that fact I was only trying to be thorough)
i know that you wernt being insulting i wish others would extend some courtesy when people are tring to help instead of giving wise comments back. it makes me not to help when i see that