Bad Head Gasket?
Riverman
Band Wagon
I've been lurking around here for a while, but this is my first post, and I'm hoping you guys can shed some light on my problem, or verify what I think I already know. I have an '89 4WD wagon with about 180,000 miles that's recently started losing coolant and has a very hard time starting up again when the engine's hot and it's been turned off for a little bit. It acts like the engine's flooded. Once it does start up, there's a big plume of white smoke, and it smells a little sweet. A couple of nights ago, the car was also down on power. It couldn't accelerate past 60 on level ground in 5th gear. Does this sound like a head gasket to you guys? It's also burned oil for years, which I think is the rings. With two problems like that, do you think it would be better to replace the engine with a low mileage one? I was checking some used engine websites, and they all seem to have the 1.6 liter engine in stock.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Comments
Also remove the radiator cap (not when hot) and see what the coolant looks like. If the oil looks like a chocolate milkshake, then you can verify the head gasket is done. If you see oil floating on top of the coolant or the same chocolate milkshake when you remove the radiator cap, then you know your head gasket is done. A bad head gasket can cause a crank no start condition when letting the car sit after driving for a while but so can a bad main relay. I would definately start with the head gasket issue first as this may correct your other problem. A jdm replacement motor is a good and cost effective alternative to get you back on the road as quickly as possible. If you decide to go that route make sure you replace the thermostat on the new motor with a quality part or you could see yourself back to square one. Also inspect the timing belt, water pump and hoses before you put the engine in the car as these are much easier to replace with the motor outside the car. Replacing the engine is also the perfect time to replace your clutch, especially if it is the original unit the came with the car. It can start to get a little expensive but it will surely save you time, trouble and headaches down the road if you do it all at once. Another quesion, did you check to see if anything may have caused the car to overheat? Make sure the radiator is clean and your cooling fans are coming on when they are supposed to, as these may have caused the issue in the first place. Good luck.
If u were to replace the head gasket,water pump an all that
u can buy a use engine. That would be better
good luck.
I don't know where you get your numbers at, but I have completely rebuilt my d16 for less than what a used motor would cost. Rebuilding a motor you already have to me is much more cost effective than purchasing a used motor you know nothing about.
I have purchased and used about six used jdm sohc motors over years and have never had a problem with them. Of course I did replace the thermostat on all of them as a precautionary measure. You must use common sense and good judgement when buying a used jdm motor and make sure the importer you are buying from offers a warranty. The guy I have gone to offers a six month warranty so long as you do not overheat the motor. Weigh your options and choose what is best for you.
bowz