NG with blown head gasket...how long can it run like that?

[Duncan Thomson]

David

Just chiming in with my experience here. Had a blown head gasket in my 
90Q (KV engine).
Drove with it like that for quite some time, as it took me quite a while 
to diagnose it.

When hot, it would sometimes (but not always) pressurize the cooling 
system, blow the coolant out and overheat badly.
I assume the engine eventually heated, warped a little and opened up the 
gap enough to blow air into the coolant.

So just be aware, that you could be faced with a serious overheating 
issue at some point.
Or not!

just my 2c
Duncan

David Ullrich wrote:

>Hey all,
>
>As I mentioned a while back, I am going to do the BABE Rally in May and am
>in search of a car. I have found a 1988 80q  for sale that just might fit
>the bill. But, and this might be a big but...it apparently has a blown head
>gasket. It blows white smoke and uses a bit of coolant. My question...how
>long can a NG take that kind of abuse (being run/driven with a bad head
>gasket)? No sign of fluid mixing (like no oil in the coolant and no coolant
>in the oil) according to the current owner. The reason I ask is I would just
>run as is and not try to mess with it. I would barely be able to get the car
>for the max I am allowed to spend on my "race car" so doing mechanical
>repairs wont likely be possible (unless somebody local is willing to donate
>the labor and I buy the gasket, I'm a terrible wrench and wouldn't even try
>to do it myself). SO, anyone care to chime in on the idea of running an NG
>with a bad head gasket? Suicide? Car needs to make it from where it is
>bought, to Baltimore MD (or Norfolk VA) then in May from there up to NYC May
>and down to New Orleans.
>
>TIA,
>
>Dave
>87 CGT 2.3
>  
>