what is happening is once i have driven my car for a while (to running temp) the top and bottom hoses get very pressurised.

 

it doesnt affect the running temp but,

 

someone told me it could be the head gasket

 

what do all you think

 

cheers, ash

Compression test it

Every single car i have worked on gets hard radiator hoses when the temp is up to normal. The hot water expands and pressurizes the radiator, Thats why if you take the cap off when its hot your most likely going to get boiling water in your face. It doesn't boil in the system because the water is pressurized and that raises the boiling point, Anti freeze/anti boil raises it again.

 

Well thats what ive worked out anyway.

 

If the water bubbles most likely head gasket.

Edited January 16, 200818 yr by AE70

yup, what ae70 said.

 

if it was a headgasket 98% of the time the hoses will be pressurised while still cold soon after first start up

and if the hoses are buldging and expanding then you need new hoses because they have gone soft and could split or burst very soon

How pressurised is "very pressurised" ??

 

Can you post a pic of the hoses when they are in this state?

yea, its designed to be pressurized.

 

every 1 psi it is pressurized the boiling point of the water is increased 4 degrees C

 

if you are worried about your head gasket, start your engine while it is cold and look in your radiator, if you see bubbles. your have a problem.

 

also look at your oil . if it looks like milk, you have a problem.

 

usually it is a head gasket, but sometimes it can be a cracked head of block

 

hope this helps you.