Re: [TR] Head Gasket Combustion Leak test kit recommendations

[Sujit Roy <triumphstag@gmail.com>]

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All good. Got a kit from Amazon.  Head gasket ok

Sujit Roy
Cupertino, California

https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/


On Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 9:26=E2=80=AFPM Sujit Roy <triumphstag@gmail.com> wrot=
e:

> Thanks, I'll check them out.
>
> On Fri, Jan 2, 2026 at 5:53=E2=80=AFAM Jerry Van Vlack <jerryvvtr4a@gmail=
.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Sujit,
>>
>> I have experience with these type kits and they all work basically the
>> same by pulling gases up thru testing fluid and looking for a color chan=
ge.
>> The multiple test claims relate to the amount of fluid in the kit. You
>> don't need to use much fluid for each test.
>>
>> Having said this you can also look for a blown head gasket by running th=
e
>> car at idle with the radiator cap off until the thermostat opens. If whe=
n
>> it opens you only observe coolant flowing you're good. If coolant gets
>> blown out of the radiator instead of flowing that's a good indication of=
 a
>> head gasket issue.
>>
>> I personally like the kits with the tube and rubber bulb like this one
>> Amazon.com: Block Tester BT-500 Head Gasket Combustion Leak Test Kit -
>> Made in USA : Automotive
>> <https://www.amazon.com/Block-Tester-BT-500-Combustion-Leak/dp/B06VVBSFT=
F/ref=3Dsr_1_3?crid=3DB5BELSHHE2V2&dib=3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1SS7r-3wwU3Nafy7CtM28=
Iyi1UFhNYzuKm6VozhuZB6JmphoiObY7ydUAVFRDJojItaOxcsoWSJOvF8VBksGnRIxMIY8JVoJ=
92Yz3lzAb3CxD4OwrAmEZEhMSthI5Fm5zY-HNM03FtUtQ3dlNeZniiIaxbMX-RhJaMXo76JKRKe=
0AW4xxTjRscAG_XLxI3CAFfugOzofA4g-QoKmlQ79-sAGUEaRvYde6fnFW1zmzhM.by9KSQykTh=
DUhsy3KNVjbccVNlPYLqEa5Qd-tQDGSlo&dib_tag=3Dse&keywords=3Dcombustion+gas+te=
ster+for+coolant&qid=3D1767361665&sprefix=3DCombustion+gas+%2Caps%2C3537&sr=
=3D8-3>
>>
>> You might be able to purchase a similar kit from your local auto parts
>> store.
>>
>> Hope this helps
>>
>> JVV
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* Triumphs <triumphs-bounces@autox.team.net> on behalf of Sujit
>> Roy <triumphstag@gmail.com>
>> *Sent:* Thursday, January 1, 2026 7:10 PM
>> *To:* Triumphs <triumphs@autox.team.net>
>> *Subject:* [TR] Head Gasket Combustion Leak test kit recommendations
>>
>> I see kits on Amazon priced anywhere from 20$ up. I dont plan to test my
>> engine 50-100 times. What is a good inexpensive kit folks like to use.
>>
>> Sujit
>>
>> --
>> Sujit Roy
>> Cupertino, California
>>
>> https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/
>>
>>
>
> --
> Sujit Roy
> Cupertino, California
>
> https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/
>
>

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<div dir=3D"auto"><div>All good. Got a kit from Amazon.=C2=A0 Head gasket o=
k</div><div><br></div><div data-smartmail=3D"gmail_signature"><div dir=3D"l=
tr"><div>Sujit Roy<br>Cupertino, California</div><div><br><a href=3D"https:=
//triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/" target=3D"_blank">https://triumphstagblog=
.wordpress.com/</a><br><br></div></div></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_=
quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Sat, =
Jan 3, 2026, 9:26=E2=80=AFPM Sujit Roy &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:triumphstag@gm=
ail.com">triumphstag@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D=
"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding=
-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr">Thanks, I&#39;ll check them out.=C2=A0</div><br=
><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Fri, J=
an 2, 2026 at 5:53=E2=80=AFAM Jerry Van Vlack &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:jerryvv=
tr4a@gmail.com" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noreferrer">jerryvvtr4a@gmail.com<=
/a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0=
px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><=
div>




<div dir=3D"ltr">
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
Hi Sujit,</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
I have experience with these type kits and they all work basically the same=
 by pulling gases up thru testing fluid and looking for a color change. The=
 multiple test claims relate to the amount of fluid in the kit. You don&#39=
;t need to use much fluid for each test.</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
Having said this you can also look for a blown head gasket by running the c=
ar at idle with the radiator cap off until the thermostat opens. If when it=
 opens you only observe coolant flowing you&#39;re good. If coolant gets bl=
own out of the radiator instead of flowing
 that&#39;s a good indication of a head gasket issue.</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
I personally like the kits with the tube and rubber bulb like this one</div=
>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<a id=3D"m_-1410595891489694625m_-3168603033195037217OWAbe913c96-9619-26b6-=
9cfa-ea5cb47b9938" href=3D"https://www.amazon.com/Block-Tester-BT-500-Combu=
stion-Leak/dp/B06VVBSFTF/ref=3Dsr_1_3?crid=3DB5BELSHHE2V2&amp;dib=3DeyJ2Ijo=
iMSJ9.1SS7r-3wwU3Nafy7CtM28Iyi1UFhNYzuKm6VozhuZB6JmphoiObY7ydUAVFRDJojItaOx=
csoWSJOvF8VBksGnRIxMIY8JVoJ92Yz3lzAb3CxD4OwrAmEZEhMSthI5Fm5zY-HNM03FtUtQ3dl=
NeZniiIaxbMX-RhJaMXo76JKRKe0AW4xxTjRscAG_XLxI3CAFfugOzofA4g-QoKmlQ79-sAGUEa=
RvYde6fnFW1zmzhM.by9KSQykThDUhsy3KNVjbccVNlPYLqEa5Qd-tQDGSlo&amp;dib_tag=3D=
se&amp;keywords=3Dcombustion+gas+tester+for+coolant&amp;qid=3D1767361665&am=
p;sprefix=3DCombustion+gas+%2Caps%2C3537&amp;sr=3D8-3" target=3D"_blank" re=
l=3D"noreferrer">Amazon.com:
 Block Tester BT-500 Head Gasket Combustion Leak Test Kit - Made in USA : A=
utomotive</a></div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
You might be able to purchase a similar kit from your local auto parts stor=
e.</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
Hope this helps</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Aptos,Aptos_EmbeddedFont,Aptos_MSFontService,Cali=
bri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
JVV</div>
<div id=3D"m_-1410595891489694625m_-3168603033195037217appendonsend"></div>
<hr style=3D"display:inline-block;width:98%">
<div id=3D"m_-1410595891489694625m_-3168603033195037217divRplyFwdMsg" dir=
=3D"ltr"><font face=3D"Calibri, sans-serif" style=3D"font-size:11pt" color=
=3D"#000000"><b>From:</b> Triumphs &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:triumphs-bounces@a=
utox.team.net" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noreferrer">triumphs-bounces@autox.=
team.net</a>&gt; on behalf of Sujit Roy &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:triumphstag@g=
mail.com" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noreferrer">triumphstag@gmail.com</a>&gt=
;<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 1, 2026 7:10 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Triumphs &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:triumphs@autox.team.net"; target=
=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noreferrer">triumphs@autox.team.net</a>&gt;<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [TR] Head Gasket Combustion Leak test kit recommendations</=
font>
<div>=C2=A0</div>
</div>
<div>
<div dir=3D"ltr">
<div>I see kits on Amazon priced anywhere from 20$ up. I dont=C2=A0plan to =
test my engine 50-100 times. What is a good inexpensive=C2=A0kit folks=C2=
=A0like to use.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Sujit</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<span>-- </span><br>
<div dir=3D"ltr">
<div dir=3D"ltr">
<div>Sujit Roy<br>
Cupertino, California</div>
<div><br>
<a href=3D"https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/"; target=3D"_blank" rel=3D=
"noreferrer">https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/</a><br>
<br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

</div></blockquote></div><div><br clear=3D"all"></div><div><br></div><span =
class=3D"gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gm=
ail_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div>Sujit Roy<br>Cupertino, California</di=
v><div><br><a href=3D"https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/"; target=3D"_bl=
ank" rel=3D"noreferrer">https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/</a><br><br><=
/div></div></div>
</blockquote></div>

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