Come along as I "show" you another way to "look" for a blown head gasket. This time I am using and endoscope. To be specific I used this one - DEPSTECH Dual Lens Inspection Camera - https://amzn.to/3RQ8nwo They are worth every penny in my opinion.
-Enjoy!
If an SMA Video has helped you out please consider giving using "Patreon" to help support us. The videos take real time to create and pull us away from real work that pays our bills. CLICK HERE: https://www.patreon.com/southmainauto
CHECK OUT OUR "SMA SWAG" STORE! Go on Teespring and get your very own SMA merch!
https://teespring.com/stores/the-sma-store
If you don't like Patreon feel free to use the "PayPal Me" link: https://www.paypal.me/SouthMainAuto
The South Main Auto Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/southmainautorepairavoca
AES Wave Automotive Diagnostic Tools: https://www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=2525b91fc8e906e8215984074c9d9e8f&go=https://www.aeswave.com/Miscellaneous-p9347.html
Thank you for all the continuing support!
--Eric & Vanessa O.
Feel like sending some swag to SMA because you love the videos but don't know where to send it?
Just ship it here:
South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.

96 thoughts on “Blown head gasket: show tell style”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars EYAS says:

    what a safe of time and of work and safe your Walt

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jake Elliott says:

    That is one of the giveaways with head gasket failure on multi layer steel head gaskets, cold start misfires. Back in the day when MLS head gaskets didn't exist and compressed fibre gaskets were used, you could pretty much guarantee that a failure would cause a constant misfire. Diagnostics has changed with the changes in materials used.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ROBERT R Penny says:

    Pretty nifty EO.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars IVOR WM says:

    Thanks for sharing

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rob Peters says:

    Nice job!
    Keeping it real with Eric O,

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeffry Blackmon says:

    Very cool 'scope!

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Professor Simon Holland says:

    fascinating to see this

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alec Rollins says:

    Whoa! It's kind of like a colonoscopy, but without the prep!

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Aaron OBrien says:

    Great work there Eric do the video of the head gasket replacement !THUMBS UP BROTHER from down under australia

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andrew Dillon says:

    lol "If I can do it,,YOU can do it" ,,,answer the fone dude..

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ian Baird says:

    I actually bought one of the cheapy ones that brand makes. It came in real handy finding where my water pump was leaking without ripping the whole engine bay apart. Neat little tools!

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jon Miner says:

    Hi, Mr. O. The borescope is definitely a valuable tool to have. The internals of the engine, exhaust system, and fuel tank might all be worthwhile targets for such a device. Thanks for sharing! Stay Healthy!

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Unknown says:

    Very cool tech… you kids these days have lots of awesome stuff. Back in the day it was experience , knowledge , a lot of wrench turning with a fair bit of good luck.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steve C says:

    Wow that is a fantastic view of a bad head gasket. Sooooo cool that 90 degree view.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MJM’s Workshop says:

    Well if the current head gasket is blown then you’re going to need a different head gasket.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hanif EFI Mechanical says:

    Good work

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 1337penguinman says:

    Yeah, these motors are kinda notorious for blowing gaskets. But that is definitely a cool piece of tech to have.

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark Ash says:

    I now have 3 of the Depstech boroscopes. I keep upgrading as they come out with something better. My latest one is the dual camera that I became aware of from watching your earlier video. They are awesome and I've used them to solve several issues. Thanks for another great video and thanks for sharing 😊

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Billie Bobbie Norton says:

    Kool ! ! ! Thanks.

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars pillsburied says:

    Absolutely fascinating to see the leak process actually happening. I wonder what kind of defect would cause that. It does look like Toyota used a quality gasket, not one of those paper jobs.

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sean Pop says:

    I like that horoscope, I've used mine heavily.

    That #2 cylinder is also showing signs of not enough oil changes. The black on the crosshatch is something I've seen on A Car Care Nut's channel.

    If it isn't burning oil yet, it will.

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars azza in this day and age says:

    going right for the #2 hole ay? 💩

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kevin Berg says:

    Too bad these 1.8s are so prone to head gasket issues. The only issues the old 1NZ had (aside from being gutless) is that they would explode in spectacular fashion when people run them low on oil. These ones have Subaru levels of head gasket issue. On some of them, all you have to do is pull the plugs on a semi-warm engine and watch the steam roll out of one of the plug bores.

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jesse Robertson says:

    Off subject….just changed brake lines now brake goes to floor. Did I ruin master cylinder?

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars C.L Carrillo says:

    The steam cleaned piston is a dead giveaway

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Lawrence Jensen says:

    Like I said before you can put your finger inside the tailpipe and taste it will taste sweet guaranteed you got a blown head gasket. 👅👈

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars tallwill38 says:

    What a craptastic way the factory just left all the casting marks on the piston tops I mean you could still see the dots from the styrofoam terrible quality control and laziness in manufacturing IMHO

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jim Bahneman says:

    Wow what technology has come along

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gary Radtke says:

    I had an older Snap On with a small screen and low resolution that was a more than a little difficult to decipher what I was seeing. I bought 4k with the side view and thought it was great except the video cable was really long. I found 3Ft replacement camera cable for it and now it is easier to use. I don't recall the name of it but it was made in China like the rest of them. Does photo, video, rechargeable, long lasting on charge and has some other features that I haven't had the need to use.

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Freiherr Dinckelacker says:

    That would also show water jacket cracking intruding into the cylinder wall. That is a sweet tool!

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Spear 327 says:

    I told my friends about this YouTube channel and they said I don't have to pay them this month to be my friend. Thanks Eric for putting out a cool YouTube channel.

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BizBot says:

    Blown head gasket on an Asian engine…just replace the engine.

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jay Sosa says:

    Nice easy straight forward diagnosis cool to see done with out a shop and a 5 thousand dollar scan tool

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars matthew1992ya says:

    This is common problem on this generation prius easy money

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jose Hernandez says:

    Nice scope I got to get me one I got me just a regular one

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BUTTABALLA999 says:

    Slick! Last time I was at AutoZone renting a tool, I think I saw on their rental tool sheet that you can rent a borescope there as well. I'm a hobbyist/DIYer with not a whole lot of space, so being able to rent tools is pretty nice for me.

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars I Paddle My Own Canoe. says:

    Yeah, those scopes work pretty good now. You can see down inside the motor and you know exactly what you're dealing with before you had to take it apart and wait till you see what you got. 👍👍🙂🇨🇦

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe T. says:

    I like it saves you time 👍👍

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars e 1987 says:

    Very cool video!

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars dropinbiking92 says:

    Would you guys believe a 5.3 in a 1500 ran with this type of blowout for ohhh 3 years and 120,000km.

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joseph Halwagy says:

    Thank you for sharing

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Isorozco511 says:

    My favorite part is when Eric says “if I can do it, you can do it”… call me a loser i dont care lol

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars eric wallace says:

    had one for years very good tool mine does not have a side camera but it has a mirror so you can look up to see the head and valves

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars NiceCalgarian says:

    Damn I can do my own colonoscopy 😂💞🇨🇦🤟

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Half-inch-holes says:

    From knowledge from other channels, seems like head gasket on these Priuses, Priui, or Priuness seems blown quite often.
    Got one of those scopes for my 50 BMG McMillan. You know when that Lilja barrel is clean as a whistle!

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Russell White says:

    Cool camera

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bruce Pierce says:

    Use K seal

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ToughAncientSpark says:

    Picked up one of these endoscopes. I now have a job at the local hospital in the surgery unit.
    Thanks for the info!

  49. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ToughAncientSpark says:

    I thought that the idea of Toyota's Prius was the electric motor runs the vehicle under 40 mph and the engine when the vehicle goes over 40 mph?

  50. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark M says:

    I truly love how every displacement is referred to as "the big". Even with this one. "The Big 1.8" lol

  51. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rob Mitchell says:

    That unit is better than any I have used in aviation

  52. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars rob obrien says:

    Eric O was the older endo depstech you had garbage??? Ordered the old one a day or two ago based off your tool time video now I'm over here scratching my head because I see you're using this newer one now I hope I didn't make a big mistake, if you could give any update to this comment I would greatly appreciate it. Love your videos keep doin' what yah do!! 👍👍

  53. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Geoff Roberts says:

    My second job is a proctologist …

  54. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nick Mayo says:

    Pretty cool stuff, I just got my depstech not too long ago, I gotta try this. This looks faster than pressurizing the cylinder and checking for radiator bubbles.

    Question for you Eric: What's your opinion on block testers? On the Acuras I see every day, block testers often miss headgaskets that fail like your Prius did.(pretty common on the J35 Honda motors).

  55. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Darren Clark says:

    Holy gap Batman! Is the gap a bit wide on those plugs?

  56. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Eric H says:

    SMA showing us the GI track of an android. 🤣😂🤣

  57. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ET Don says:

    Put another 90 degree torque turn on the head bolts and shes good to go!

    Disclaimer, for any mechanics that may have taken my comment seriously, I was just kidding.

  58. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chris Vogt says:

    Love watching your videos because it's helped a lot

  59. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David K says:

    It is such a minor leak and on an older car I would have tried a product like Silvo-Seal or other sealer rich in Sodium/silicate then that pig would likely fix it until it made it to the boneyard. If it didn't then the gasket could be swapped out. No harm no foul.

  60. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars The SearcherMan says:

    I just remove radiator cap, put air pressure on each cylinder. Even a small crack in the cyl. head will blow anti freeze out the radiator. Seems nobody else likes to use my method. 😳 Best Wisher!

  61. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bradley White says:

    Man, are you cool. When my son gets out of prison for murder, having sex with a neighbor’s dog and shoplifting, I’m gonna send him to Lincoln Tech so he can learn to fix cars.

  62. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andy Reynolds says:

    As the leak is so small could you just torque down the head bolts?

  63. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars The Brough Family says:

    Great video Eric, thank you very much. Watched it 3.40am UK time on my coffee break during a Nightshift, very much appreciated.

  64. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars mc2whls says:

    Excellent Detective Work, Eric!

  65. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John Villeneuve says:

    Sad day. 3rd gen Prius is a notorious head gasket popper. No prior overheating or anything, just goes randomly. The other unfortunate one is the 4.0 V6 head gaskets will randomly go south and of course the infamous 2AZ-FE pulling the threads from the block and losing the HG between cylinder 2 and 3 with a coolant leak under the intake manifold.

  66. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dirk G says:

    Great video!

  67. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ReservedForFutureUse says:

    You're right – that is pretty cool!

  68. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dakota McClure says:

    Good tip

  69. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hack says:

    Great demo, Eric.

  70. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars plankton199 says:

    I bought one of those cameras the last time you used it. It has been inside of my Jeep's Transfer Case to check the chain. I also stuck it in my car's cylinders during a spark plug change just for fun. A well spent $100, thanks Eric!

  71. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars San Diego says:

    Ding Dong…lol;

  72. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars nathan hejny says:

    Perfect candidate for a bottle of stop leak in the radiator

  73. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Thatdave says:

    Mr O showing us another drip 😂😂😂
    The number one auto repair Drip channel,we can count on Mr O .

  74. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars HouseCallAutoRepair says:

    Thanks to seeing you use this borescope before, I bought one a few months ago, to visually confirm a bent valve. Fantastic detail, great resolution!

  75. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Don Gamble says:

    That scope has very good clarity.

  76. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joseph King says:

    Those cameras are more than fairly affordable, they are extremely affordable. I guess they would pay for themselves with just a single different head gasket blown head gasket find. 😏

  77. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dwayne Madsen says:

    WOW! Awesome! Thank you for sharing and stay safe.

  78. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars J Snyper says:

    Fascinating video. Great look inside the cylinder.

  79. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ford nut says:

    Neat camera

  80. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars SV Thora Sailing says:

    Remember folks if he can it you can do it,with thirty years experience and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of tools.
    Find an Eric O and let them do it,that’s their spiel.

  81. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BigJjames93 says:

    This channel needs to be at 1 million subscribers already.

  82. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Julio Torres says:

    I use a coolant funnel and I fill it up with water and when the engine is kind of warm but not too warm I run it and then I try to see if there's any bubbles coming out of the funnel and usually it lets me know that there is a gas exhaust gas and getting into the coolant system that's one of the checks I do and I've also use the funnel and do like a differential pressure check who are the water funnel installed and if bubbles come out then you have a blown head gasket!!!

  83. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rob Peabo says:

    That was cool Eric! Watching the coolant leak into the combustion chamber is a definitive confirmation of the diagnosis.

  84. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bryan Killeen says:

    Pretty cool could you put some radiator stop leak? Say if it was an older car and it wasn’t worth fixing?

  85. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tom Ivy says:

    technology can be sooooo cool great video love to see the teardown!!!

  86. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bill Potmesil says:

    Way cool!

  87. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Teri and TL Stanbro says:

    That’s awesome thanks

  88. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars William White says:

    Great Tip!

  89. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 300DBenz says:

    I’ve done the exact same technique to diagnose a bad head gasket on a Tacoma.

    Those cheap amazon scopes have become just as vital a tool as my DVOM.

  90. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars J P says:

    Very very cool! And darn it, got nothin to argue with you about…

  91. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! Tom Thackston says:

    I have a scope too and it's awesome! I really appreciate your videos and get a lot of really good information out of them thank you glad to see someone who knows what their doing. Most of my career has been in the Asian cars but now in to a little of everything so need the heads up on the domestic stuff too take care.

  92. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Peter Hodgkins says:

    That's a slick little borescope! And it's VERY affordable! The Olympus borescopes I used in the oil & gas field for inspecting industrial gas turbines and compressors were 20-30K … I have one that is about the same money, but this one seems to have a much clearer view. Time to pass the old one down and pick one of these puppies up!

  93. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dustin Hedin says:

    To be fair blown head gaskets are pretty different

  94. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jim Vet says:

    👍

  95. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Lakes Automotive Diagnostics says:

    The last one of these I sold a head gasket on ,when I got the head off I found the block was cracked right between number two and three cylinder. So we had to do an engine.

  96. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MattExzy says:

    Catching that drip.. I've never actually seen this angle of view before. To echo another certain channel…. where do ya get to see it, folks.

Leave a Reply to C.L Carrillo Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.