Blown Head Gasket??? HELP
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From: Elk River, MN
I'm going to run down the whole story so there aren't any questions later.
Nice day out here in Minnesota, prob 20 degrees out, always allow my car to warm up too 120 AT LEAST before driving. Going to DVM to get tabs, car is running fine. Get tabs, get in car. Girlfriend is driving because I have a massive hangover. She's no nembie to clutching, but she kills the car. Whatev's restarts it and check engine is on.
Get to Walmart, buy oil to do an oil change. Leave Walmart, head to advance to use OBD reader for free. I'm assuming cyl 4 misfire because it has been randomly misfiring.
It was. Oh yay, check into it again later I thought.
Go get some pizza, go home. Got to work.
Leaving work. Warmed car up to 160 before driving. Car still acting a little funny. I pulled a stupid and said **** it, WOT run to get rid of the damn misfire. Bad choice.
Pulling wot, no traction, but keeping around 5,500rpm get into 3rd drops to 3,500rpm because I early shifted due to no traction, slowely builds back up, and around 6k check engine is flashing, loss of power. Now something was really wrong.
Get to next stoplight, and car dies on me. Restart, now my heater smells like ****** flowers(Sweet, aka coolant). ****. Pull over in safe location, car dies on its own again.
Restart once more just to diagnose with engine open, see if a hose came loose. NOPE.
No metal flakes in exhaust.
No hoses leaking or leaking sound.
VAC on boost gauge is at 14-15. Usually 19 or less(high reving tune BLEH)
Car is reving like a Subaru with exhaust
Antifreeze in my oil, but not the opposite(yet).
Towed car home. Sitting in driveway, putting in garage to look at after X-MAS.
Anyone got some knowledgeable input. I've asked my car buddies and it sounds like a head gasket was leaking and WOT destroyed it.
I also will be replacing my tensioner, its been ticking sometimes been lazy.
Anyone know of a HOW TO on taking apart the motor down to the head gasket?
Can I also easily replace my O-rings while I'm at it?
I'm pretty good with motor stuff, just haven't even had to take apart a car motor, just snowmobiles thus far. I have plenty of support from my nearby fellow Cobalterz already.
I really appreciate any help guys.
Thanks,
Crying* Bratboy90
Nice day out here in Minnesota, prob 20 degrees out, always allow my car to warm up too 120 AT LEAST before driving. Going to DVM to get tabs, car is running fine. Get tabs, get in car. Girlfriend is driving because I have a massive hangover. She's no nembie to clutching, but she kills the car. Whatev's restarts it and check engine is on.
Get to Walmart, buy oil to do an oil change. Leave Walmart, head to advance to use OBD reader for free. I'm assuming cyl 4 misfire because it has been randomly misfiring.
It was. Oh yay, check into it again later I thought.
Go get some pizza, go home. Got to work.
Leaving work. Warmed car up to 160 before driving. Car still acting a little funny. I pulled a stupid and said **** it, WOT run to get rid of the damn misfire. Bad choice.
Pulling wot, no traction, but keeping around 5,500rpm get into 3rd drops to 3,500rpm because I early shifted due to no traction, slowely builds back up, and around 6k check engine is flashing, loss of power. Now something was really wrong.
Get to next stoplight, and car dies on me. Restart, now my heater smells like ****** flowers(Sweet, aka coolant). ****. Pull over in safe location, car dies on its own again.
Restart once more just to diagnose with engine open, see if a hose came loose. NOPE.
No metal flakes in exhaust.
No hoses leaking or leaking sound.
VAC on boost gauge is at 14-15. Usually 19 or less(high reving tune BLEH)
Car is reving like a Subaru with exhaust
Antifreeze in my oil, but not the opposite(yet).
Towed car home. Sitting in driveway, putting in garage to look at after X-MAS.
Anyone got some knowledgeable input. I've asked my car buddies and it sounds like a head gasket was leaking and WOT destroyed it.
I also will be replacing my tensioner, its been ticking sometimes been lazy.
Anyone know of a HOW TO on taking apart the motor down to the head gasket?
Can I also easily replace my O-rings while I'm at it?
I'm pretty good with motor stuff, just haven't even had to take apart a car motor, just snowmobiles thus far. I have plenty of support from my nearby fellow Cobalterz already.
I really appreciate any help guys.
Thanks,
Crying* Bratboy90
Last edited by bratboy90; Dec 24, 2011 at 02:27 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Elk River, MN
So..... Got around to taking apart the motor.
1. Slightest bit of antifreeze in oil (very slight, so I doubt the head-gasket is to blame)
2. Compression Dry is (left to right looking at motor from front bumper)
180, 180, 180, 0
____________^NOT GOOD
I'm in strong belief that I have blown a hole through the piston, cracked the sleeve, and/or a bent a valve.
Looking into replacing motor completely and keeping for a future build.
Will continue taking apart and update with pics of damage.
1. Slightest bit of antifreeze in oil (very slight, so I doubt the head-gasket is to blame)
2. Compression Dry is (left to right looking at motor from front bumper)
180, 180, 180, 0
____________^NOT GOOD
I'm in strong belief that I have blown a hole through the piston, cracked the sleeve, and/or a bent a valve.
Looking into replacing motor completely and keeping for a future build.
Will continue taking apart and update with pics of damage.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
Joined: 06-12-11
Posts: 1,118
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From: Elk River, MN
Being this is Cyl 4. Cyl 4 had blown in the past on this car. GM covered it. I'm at 84k now. GM won't cover this damage even though they should admit I got a lemon part somewhere in the motor from the start. Girdled block here I come
Thread Starter
Senior Member
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From: Elk River, MN
Here's a video of it idling and a slight rev to about 2,300rpm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCMyPAyx9pw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCMyPAyx9pw
Last edited by bratboy90; Dec 29, 2011 at 06:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
Joined: 06-12-11
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 12
From: Elk River, MN
OK. So detonation occured. Immediatly taking it out on the piston ring, which scored the sleeve, and damaged the piston. I'm no genius on valves, so I'm unsure if damage has occured, but I'll have someone look at it. We were expecting a lot more damage than actually occured. But still this requires a new motor or girdled. Looking into it, thanks for the support. Pictures below.
PICS:











Again, Thanks.
PICS:











Again, Thanks.
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