Radiator bubbling, no other signs of head gasket

[krusing]

I just use some sealant on the bolts, same stuff I put in the corner of the valley gaskets. Definitely need something on the bolts or they will come loose.

Second that !

(I used stud sealant)

 

[SquidOfOhms]

Yes you will have to get other gasket(s). Lower manifold to plenum gasket, throttle body gasket, maybe a thermostat gasket ( some thermostats come with the gasket?). Heater pipe orings (which you already know about? I think thats it? If l've missed anything somebody will probably let you know?

If locktite is not used, usually the bolts come loose & the same symptoms will appear after awhile. You can get away without the locktite, but will have to return to the mechanic that does the job to retension the bolts down after week or 2. After the second retension its usually all good & no need for a third retension.
Time is money, so probably better to use the loctite.

Perfect answer, thankyou! This is what I’m getting so far, please anyone add on if necessary! I want it done properly the first time.

LIM Gasket: https://www.maceengineering.com.au/...4fe11/?ObjectPath=/Shops/mace/Products/GSK601
Blue RTV Gasket sealant: https://www.maceengineering.com.au/...e11/?ObjectPath=/Shops/mace/Products/SEL001-A
Thermostat: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/tridon-tridon-thermostat-gasket---ttg46/11238.html
Thermostat gasket: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/tridon-tridon-thermostat-gasket---ttg46/11238.html
High-strength threadlocker: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p...eadlocker---high-strength-red-10ml/30504.html
Heater inlet hose (?) o rings: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/permaseal-wi-holden-v6-tens-orings/SPO6650230.html
Plenum chamber gasket: (is this the lower body to manifold gasket?) https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/platinum-plenum-chamber-gasket-set/SPO2054520.html#q=Plenum gasket&lang=en_AU&vid=oNFBPjPaNgpSPrBe0SokgQ==&start=1
Throttle body gasket: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/durapro-holden-3800-5lt-2-bolt-hole/SPO1484854.html#q=Throttle body gasket&lang=en_AU&vid=oNFBPjPaNgpSPrBe0SokgQ==&start=3

 

[Lex]

Perfect answer, thankyou! This is what I’m getting so far, please anyone add on if necessary! I want it done properly the first time.

LIM Gasket: https://www.maceengineering.com.au/...4fe11/?ObjectPath=/Shops/mace/Products/GSK601
Blue RTV Gasket sealant: https://www.maceengineering.com.au/...e11/?ObjectPath=/Shops/mace/Products/SEL001-A
Thermostat: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/tridon-tridon-thermostat-gasket---ttg46/11238.html
Thermostat gasket: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/tridon-tridon-thermostat-gasket---ttg46/11238.html
High-strength threadlocker: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p...eadlocker---high-strength-red-10ml/30504.html
Heater inlet hose (?) o rings: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/permaseal-wi-holden-v6-tens-orings/SPO6650230.html
Plenum chamber gasket: (is this the lower body to manifold gasket?) https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/platinum-plenum-chamber-gasket-set/SPO2054520.html#q=Plenum gasket&lang=en_AU&vid=oNFBPjPaNgpSPrBe0SokgQ==&start=1
Throttle body gasket: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/durapro-holden-3800-5lt-2-bolt-hole/SPO1484854.html#q=Throttle body gasket&lang=en_AU&vid=oNFBPjPaNgpSPrBe0SokgQ==&start=3

Just use rtv blue instead of the thread locker.
Dont know about the lower manifold to plenum gasket. Usually when l get mine , they are from holden, & there is only one gasket. Maybe they put in the 2 gaskets & you choice which one you want (for your motor)? If thats the case the one to choose would be the pic of the top one.

I've got one hanging on the wall in the shed, so l'll get a pic, & post after dinner.

Seems like everything else is ok?

 

[SquidOfOhms]

Just use rtv blue instead of the thread locker.
Dont know about the lower manifold to plenum gasket. Usually when l get mine , they are from holden, & there is only one gasket. Maybe they put in the 2 gaskets & you choice which one you want (for your motor)? If thats the case the one to choose would be the pic of the top one.

I've got one hanging on the wall in the shed, so l'll get a pic, & post after dinner.

Seems like everything else is ok?

Yeah it seems like they take one or the other so they just sell them together now lol. My question was, is that what you mean by lower manifold to plenum gasket

 

[Immortality]

I believe you are talking about these?

For VX/VY you need the top one.

There is probably no need to replace it and somewhere along the line I thought Holden changed it to a steel shim gasket so you shouldn't need one.

 

[SquidOfOhms]

I believe you are talking about these?

For VX/VY you need the top one.

There is probably no need to replace it and somewhere along the line I thought Holden changed it to a steel shim gasket so you shouldn't need one.

Yes that’s what I’m talking about, everywhere seems to sell them together. I’m taking the parts to a mechanic and this being done 4 days before a big mainland trip so trying to cover everything that may go wrong. If that should be fine I’ll leave it

 

[Lex]

I believe you are talking about these?

For VX/VY you need the top one.

There is probably no need to replace it and somewhere along the line I thought Holden changed it to a steel shim gasket so you shouldn't need one.

They are steel, coated in that black stuff (paint?) I agree with the top one.

Also told they need replacing every time the parts are seperated. Its the way they made, one use only.
Also got told you can use gasket maker on both sides if getting it of, you haven't twisted dissorted it?

And l also got told to build up with a few coats of copper spray? Haven't seen any copper spray around for a few years. Haven't used it myself.

Dont need to go out to the shed tonight. The pic is already up.

 

[krusing]

Perfect answer, thankyou! This is what I’m getting so far, please anyone add on if necessary! I want it done properly the first time.

LIM Gasket: https://www.maceengineering.com.au/...4fe11/?ObjectPath=/Shops/mace/Products/GSK601
Blue RTV Gasket sealant: https://www.maceengineering.com.au/...e11/?ObjectPath=/Shops/mace/Products/SEL001-A
Thermostat: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/tridon-tridon-thermostat-gasket---ttg46/11238.html
Thermostat gasket: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/tridon-tridon-thermostat-gasket---ttg46/11238.html
High-strength threadlocker: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p...eadlocker---high-strength-red-10ml/30504.html
Heater inlet hose (?) o rings: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/permaseal-wi-holden-v6-tens-orings/SPO6650230.html
Plenum chamber gasket: (is this the lower body to manifold gasket?) https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/platinum-plenum-chamber-gasket-set/SPO2054520.html#q=Plenum gasket&lang=en_AU&vid=oNFBPjPaNgpSPrBe0SokgQ==&start=1
Throttle body gasket: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/durapro-holden-3800-5lt-2-bolt-hole/SPO1484854.html#q=Throttle body gasket&lang=en_AU&vid=oNFBPjPaNgpSPrBe0SokgQ==&start=3

Buying all these seperate,
Would be cheaper to get a VRS kit

 

[Lex]

I believe you are talking about these?

For VX/VY you need the top one.

There is probably no need to replace it and somewhere along the line I thought Holden changed it to a steel shim gasket so you shouldn't need one.

Whats the bottom one for?

 

[Lex]

Buying all these seperate,
Would be cheaper to get a VRS kit

Does the vrs kit have the mace or acdelco ali lim gaskets?