2000 3.8 v6 mustang 84k many symptoms - Engine Troubleshooting


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2000 3.8 v6 mustang 84k many symptoms

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Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> Engine Troubleshooting

Ethanh333
New User

Apr 7, 2018, 12:48 PM

Post #1 of 3 (1867 views)

2000 3.8 v6 mustang 84k many symptoms	Sign In

So I got a few symptoms.
Rough to start
Light white smoke
Blue/ black discharge from tail
gentle backfiring, not loud.
Oil is full, but maybe had slight blue color?
Head gasket? Running rich? What do you guys think.

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 7, 2018, 2:27 PM

Post #2 of 3 (1847 views)

Re: 2000 3.8 v6 mustang 84k many symptoms	Sign In

Ok, is coolant low at radiator? Things you can begin checking is oil dirt in tail pipe or if somehow antifreeze should rinse off the oil wouldn't with plain water on a towel.
"Hard to start?" Next if you can/know how to, cancel spark one by one when first running see which one doesn't make it rougher mark that one.
Then can look at plugs for differences - oil would show dirty, antifreeze if firing can show a very clean plug vs the others then on to compression check see if it holds. While plugs out see if pressure check of cooling system shows up at a cylinder just look can do that with engine cold even.
I prefer to find more than one reason to blame head gasket(s) before taking that on be sure several tests more than mentions a couple about proves it or not conclusive.

Good luck the "blue/black" still could be antifreeze if also seen cold mornings if cold overnight be tricky but it isn't running well so should find out what with a few checks.

See what you find if one or more bad looking plugs swap to a good one see if problem follows.

Pretty sure a code reading can tell you which cylinder(s) are making it run rough or if random helps,

T

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Apr 7, 2018, 3:49 PM

Post #3 of 3 (1844 views)

Re: 2000 3.8 v6 mustang 84k many symptoms	Sign In

Before you do anything, have the codes read and post the numbers here.

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