Engine troubles V6...help!!

[grmlyn]

My vs v6 heated up the other night on the way home from work (temp gauge got up past red) so when I got home I gave it half an hour then topped up the water (it need 3l to be full) and also topped up the oil which was fairly low. On the way to work next it started to smell hot (but the temp gauge never went past 3/4) then the engine made a tinny rattle sound and lost power was about to pullover and then it just stalled with steam billowing. couldn't restart it so had it towed. First of all thought the engine seized but following day when it was totally cold it started but running rough as guts and steam coming out of exhaust. Thought maybe a head gasket, but pulled the engine apart and head gasket appears fine. Does any one have any ideas, as it is costing a bit with trial and error???

[bloodyricho]

cracked head maybe not real likely. gunna have to grind the heads now to get them back on so ask machinist to have a gander og get some new heads

[BoNeZ-01]

If it's not a head gasket, then it 'could' be a cracked head?
Happens fairly easy to alloy heads, and since yours did pretty hot?
Sounds similar to the symptoms from a mates old VL, the head was cracked, steam(almost water..) out of the exhaust, running rough and so on.
We couldn't actually 'see' the crack, weather that's because of where it was, or the fact that it was closed when cold, then opened when hot, I'm not sure.

EDIT: oops, I forgot to add if they're not cracked, they could be warped from overheating too, which could also cause similar problems.

[bloodyricho]

i used to pressure test heads in the prentice days they are heated then boiling water is pumped into the water jacket (pressure testing see). but you can get a fair pair of second hand heads for cheap-ish saves paying for prussure test and TIG job cheap answers include Holden Commodore "96 VS V6 3.8Ltr Ecotec Engine - eBay V6 Engines, Engines, Components, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 27-May-10 12:48:20 AEST)

[woteva]

Holden Commodore "96 VS V6 3.8Ltr Ecotec Engine - eBay V6 Engines, Engines, Components, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 27-May-10 12:48:20 AEST)

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