cold engine spewing water out radiator

[loosegoose]

I just bought a 92 sidekick 16v that needed a radiator they said. I ran it without water for several seconds at a time to drive it on trailer ect... everything seemed fine. So I put a new radiator on it and filled it up to the top and then cranked it up with the cap off and water went everywhere like 8 feet up it the air. So I guess my question is could this be as simple as a head gasket?

[rudar]

Wait, what do you *expect* to happen if you run a car with the cap off the radiator?

And what exactly is the symptom on yours suggesting something's wrong with it??

[loosegoose]

well at an idle I have never seen a vehicle throw water out very much at at maybe just run out a little bit. It does throws water even if just cranking for a few seconds maybe a quart or more. I'm thing that compression from one of the cylinders is pressurizing the cooling system due to a gasket or head fracture. I will do a compression test tomorrow and find out more.

[loosegoose]

well I tore it down today. There is a crack between 3 and 4 on the block. I have a 8v block that is good. I may try putting 16 v valve pistosn in it and use it.

[jtgh]

alum. cracks real easy sans water.
not forgiving in the least. (alum. expands rapidly with heat)

let us know if the pistion swap works. many have asked but no tries, or feed backs on that.
I am not sure if suz mfg, used color coded pistions.
slightly over and under size.


the parts list show same block.
the std pistions come in mark 1 and mark2 (color coded) , diff, pistons as you note (relieved crowns)
so if you have a large piston on one engine and other is under, it may not play.

same ringes both engine.s
same rods. bearings and crank, shown in EPCat.

DIff crank bolt (at pulley)
and diff, crank cog for belt , on end of crank , both engines

looking just at block assy.

hope that helps.