1996 Chevy Tahoe Blown head gasket

CHET4178

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
18,000 MILES

We have a 1996 that was running great, went into bank came out ant it would crank/ turnover make a grinding type sound and not start! We harbor towed to the shop and were told it was a blown head gasket. We are doing the repairs ourselves and have the engine broken down to the block and heads. The passenger side rockers and springs look good. The compression was good on all 4 cylinders. The drivers side is my major concern. The rockers and springs look alittle rustyy and dirty. On this side 2 cylinders had low commpression readings. I'm not sure if I can just clean every thing up in the head and change the gasket. Or if I have to replace the rods liffters valves and springs. Another concern is that I'm not totaly sure the blown head gasket wouldn't let the truck start. There was no oil leakage or cooliant in the wrong places, just the commpression issue? Help

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

If the head gasket was blown pretty good it would prevent the truck from starting. Not seeing the gasket it's hard to say. You may have had coolant leaking into the cylinders and then blown out the exaust is why you didn't see any leaks. The compression if it was between two cylinders like 1-3 or 3-5 or 5-7 would indicate the head gasket problem. When you tear it down make sure that your push rods are clear so the oil can get to the rockers and springs. At least check the lifters, if you see oil around them on top they are probably ok. They may have gotten dirty and rusty from water. Make sure to clean the head mating surface good and use silicone on the edges of the intake when youput the manifold on so not to have aleak of oil.