Blown Headgasket? or no?
 

so i have an 88 turbo targa supra. guy before me replaced the head gasket not too long ago. well the problem is that i run the car and it drives fine, it comes to a point were it starts over heating, gets to the top then it goes back down to normal. i get to stop and its still fine, then it starts overheating again. it keeps playing with me like that over and over again. sometimes, not all times it starts steaming out of the reservoir. ive replaced the thermostat but nothing,still does that. suggestions??

when you first start the car before it gets hot feel the radiator hoses for psi if it has psi when its cold its almost 100% that your gasket is blown if not then it could be waterpump a restriction or possibly your radiator cap also check your oil for "milkshake"

check your oil for milky stuff as well as oil mixed into your coolant.
do you get white smoke when you start up??
is your rad low on coolant or does it puke it all over the road when you park

check up on all the threads here with BHG writen on it

your not the first or the last always check for other threads relating to the same problem. there are many knowledgeable people here who have already answered this question 100 times!

Check your base spark advance (or base ignition timing advance) as well.


BTW, the top of our temp gauge indicates temps higher enough to cause significant damage... the gauge is logarithmic not linear, much above the halfway mark and you really should shut it down (unless the needle is off).

i started up the car and the radiator hose didnt have psi, i could squeeze it completely down. the oil does not have milky shake, oil looks great. ummm, in the mornings it has always smoked a bit,, white smoke that is but isnt that normal??? throughout the day it doesnt smoke,. i replaced my radiator cap and thermostat. Is replacing a head gasket at home dificult?? i have opened up an engine just to replace lifters and such things.

i looked into my crank hose ventilation and inside of it was milkshakey but nothing on the oil cap nor the oil stick. im guessing the head gasket is blown. if it is what do you guys think about doing the head gasket myself?? i have only replaced lifters but never any lower than that. THanks

It's a good learning experience, that's for sure, but the 7M is VERY finicky and you need to pay very close attention to be sure you don't miss any steps.