Terry,
When you first tested, I assume you allowed the pressure to
stay for a few minutes. A leaking heater core can be smelled while driving
from within the cockpit, but you usually can't hear a leak. There are drains
in the heater box so you might not find any evidence of coolant loss, but you
might look at the passenger footwell carpet and tunnel. The heater control
valve may leak in one position but not another. Leaking coolant from a soft
plug might be smelled while you drive.
Repeat the pressure test, and this time pull the spark plugs. Take a
length of hose and stick it in your ear! Use it to listen for any noises in
the bores...a tiny head gasket leak will sound like a river. The other easy
test for head gaskets is a simple question: is there water in the oil?...is
there "Mayonnaise" on the filler cap?
What engine do you have? You stated a 1596, but I think you meant a
1592: does it have an alloy head as original?
Jim Leach, Seattle
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