Jim Brewer wrote:

Finn,
I think this is what you are looking for.
http://www.fleetguard.com/pdfs/product_lit/fleetguard_brochures/LT15068old.pdf

Background info from this site
www.freeautoadvice.com/diesel/cav.html+coolant+test+kit&hl=en&ie=utf-8

Blown head gasket diagnosis:

A major problem with the Bmw E34/E32 especially the 3.5l and 2.5l is a
headgakset failure caused by using unproper coolant (I always use BMW
coolant) or overheating.

Engine suddenly overheats, radiator hose or heater hose explodes, a bubbling
sound from the radiator overflow tank (may be a bad radiator cap), large
bubbles in or foaming of coolant in radiator while engine is running, loss
of coolant with no apparent leak, or persistent white smoke coming from
exhaust are the first warning that the headgakset is going bad.

Visible warnings:
. Thick white smoke coming out of the tail pipe (water inside the cylinders)
. Coolant in oil (white residue on the oil cap or dip stick) or oil in
coolant (stick your finder in the coolant reservoir and you will see)
. Mysterious loss of coolants without traces.
. Huge build up a pressure in the coolant circuit.
. Temperature gauge acting weird (the temperature gauge will get into the
middle, and stay there for few minutes. Next, it will rapidly shoot for the
"red" zone. It will do this in seconds. The moment the red zone is touched,
the gauge falls just as fast to the middle, where it will stay for duration
of the trip. Next day, same situation...)
When you first start your car leaking head gasket will introduce gas into
the head cooling space. It will replace fluid from the area. The thermostat
is closed so the gas has no place to go. The gas acts like an insulator so
it will delay heat transfer to the thermostat. But other parts of the engine
covered with the fluid blanket will heat the water up to the boiling point.
Finally engine is hot enough to cause thermostat to open and let the gas go
into the radiator. After the gas goes the overheated water and that's what
causes your needle to rise on the gauge. Further operation is normal because
thermostat is open and the gas goes to expansion tank as soon as it gets
into the system. You need to repair the leak as soon as possible if that's
the cause or you will end up with warped head due to spot overheating.

What test to perform to make sure:
. The first is a carbon dioxide test performed on the cooling system will
tell you if C02 is going inside your coolant.
. A leakdown test will allow you to check each cylinder to look for pressure
loss inside the cylinder. Failing the test could also be seepage past a bad
valve guide, piston ring...
Head Gasket Testing Kit

The best method is to have a service shop, or a friend who owns a block test
kit test your system for a compression leak to your cooling system. I heard
that some test kits can be purchased from auto stores. This is a test unit
and test fluid that changes color with the presence of exhaust gas in the
engine coolant. Another test that should be completed is a coolant system
pressure test Test your system for leaks with nine to twelve Psi pressure.
It should not show any appreciable pressure loss within 5 minutes.

Hope this helps.

Jim Brewer

 
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