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kingjim9
User
Apr 2, 2008, 1:17 PM
Post #1 of 2
(1806 views)
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Blown Head Gasket??
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Ok here's the story... 1994 Plymouth Acclaim 4 cyl 2.5L 94,621 miles. A little while ago when I was changing the oil I noticed I was extremely low on Antifreeze in the Reserve bottle, the Raidator was full though. So I filled up the Reserve & didn't think that much of it. About a week later same occurance so i put a piece of poster board under the car and let it run for a little while, not a drop hit the board, I examined all the clamps too they were tight and everything which leads me to believe that there's no external leaks. Well yesterday, I was driving it down a hill to come home and the check engine light came on, I got to my house like 30 seconds or so after the light came on and noticed some steam coming up from the oil filter. I checked the oil and it was pretty clear (It's been 115 miles since the oil change) & Once again the Coolant reserve bottle was pretty near empty, that lead me to believe I have a head gasket problem letting antifreeze mix into the oil. Once the thing cooled down I checked the radiator it was full and the coolant was as green as it could have been. The Oil started regaining the dark golden color you would be expeting to see. Well today I didn't drive it at all, i got home and checked the oil & it was at the proper level, but I also noticed alot of oil stains around the valve gasket that may or may not be new. The temperature gauge always was staying within "the norm" whenever it was being driven.
I'm thinking of taking it to the car wash & cleaning off the engine and getting that oil dye they sell to see if there actually is a problem with the valve gasket too. As for the head gasket, I've owned this vehicle since 2002 & it blew a head gasket in 2004 & 2006, so if it is indeed the head gasket again the vehicle is done.
Does my diagnosis sound right to you guys? and What are your opinions of what I should be doing in this situation?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 2, 2008, 2:29 PM
Post #2 of 2
(1800 views)
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Re: Blown Head Gasket??
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Hmm? Your losing coolant somewhere and seeing oiliness that you think is new?? At the rate of loss you mention without seeing it on ground/floor/driveway it does suggest it's burning it. There are some strange leaks like perhaps a crack or hose to the recovery tank itself that might just leak when operating and not leave much evidence. A pressure check of cooling system would really help.
The radiator staying full and temp staying stable is a good sign and this may not be a head gasket at all. Also some leaks - hoses especially - can just make a tiny fishing line type stream and go unseen and might not do it to make a puddle. Pressure test left on for a while would show that up.
If this is the plastic recovery tank you can usually fix those with sealers from outside. If in fact this is a head gaasket that leaks to external somewhere or if very slowly burning it AND needing yet another will make you give up on this car I'd try a sealer. Don't overdo that stuff - like use half of what's suggested and if it doesn't work it's not going to and that might only be temporary - hard to say. Good luck,
T
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