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For excessive white smoke or suspected head gasket problems, give the cooling system a pressure test. A test includes:
- Radiator cap adapter
- Hand pump
- Pressure gauge
This involves pumping up the radiator to about 25 psi, and watching to see if the pressure holds. If it does not, you will generally hear some air escaping somewhere. Using a long hose to your ear, move the hose to various spots around the engine to locate the air leak:
- In valve cover with oil cap removed, indicates internal engine leak, possibily the head gasket
- Down carburetor throat, indicates leak into intake system
- Externally around edges of head gasket
- Externally around edges of intake gasket
This will also find potential coolant leaks in the radiator casing, hoses and joints.
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