How do I go about diagnosing a cracked block?

Answer by  mammakat (11147)

See if the oil is milky. You'll need a compression test. Check the level in your radiator. Look for white smoke from the exhaust. Look for leaking fluids. However, you really need a mechanic to give you this bad news. Chances are however, you know already.

Answer by  worker2746 (2434)

A cracked block should be evident by looking at it. If you suspect this to be the case, you must take your car into an honest mechanic fairly soon. This is a serious issue, and will cause irreperable damage to your motor. This is not an easy and cheap thing to fix.

Answer by  Amber40 (24961)

Well I assume you are referring to an automotive engine. This can be tricky to diagnose. If the engine has been abused, overheat, or improperly maintaince then there is a good chance the block is cracked. The most common signs are smoke coming from the exhaust, loss of oil or coolant without any external leak, or very poor performance.