Calling all Mechanics

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by Ineffable

I tried to jump it today but no go... The techs at the Walmart I am at are fucking useless so won't get any help there. I can hear the fuel pump starting up when I turn the key so I don't think that is it. Tomorrow I am going to go and pull the spark plugs. I am inclined to think it is a blown headgasket as the last week or so it has been losing coolant really bad. It only overheated once on me, the rest of the time I have been keeping it topped off. I figured it was a cracked hose even though I couldn't locate it after hours of looking and planned on replacing it this weekend (guess not).

Pull the dipstick. Is the oil a creamy light brown? If so It's definetely a head gasket. The best way to test this would be a compression test.

[101lifts2]

Originally Posted by SteveP

Pull the dipstick. Is the oil a creamy light brown? If so It's definetely a head gasket. The best way to test this would be a compression test.

Easier way is to remove the radiator cap and crank over the engine. If coolant shoots out, then combustion gases are being pushed into the cooling system (as long as air was bled out correctly in the first place).

But pulling the dipstick is easy or looking under the oil cap. You can also pull the plugs to check if they are all coolant soaked.

[BobTheBiker]

Yep. if your cooling system gets pressurized in seconds flat from cold, its absolutely a headgasket, my S10 did this. if its indeed a 2.2, dont be afraid to ask me for help, I know ALL ABOUT this motor, inside and out.

[No Worries]

Originally Posted by SteveP

Pull the dipstick. Is the oil a creamy light brown? If so It's definetely a head gasket. The best way to test this would be a compression test.

White smoke from the exhaust was the old school method of seeing if antifreeze was getting into the combustion chamber. To see if there was a leak from the cooling system to the oil system, you would pull the dipstick and let a drop of oil fall on the hot exhaust manifold. Usually, nothing happens to the drop. But if there is water or antifreeze in the oil, it will bubble on the hot pipe.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by No Worries

White smoke from the exhaust was the old school method of seeing if antifreeze was getting into the combustion chamber. To see if there was a leak from the cooling system to the oil system, you would pull the dipstick and let a drop of oil fall on the hot exhaust manifold. Usually, nothing happens to the drop. But if there is water or antifreeze in the oil, it will bubble on the hot pipe.

I've never done the oil drop test. Interesting.

[Smittie61984]

Originally Posted by No Worries

White smoke from the exhaust was the old school method of seeing if antifreeze was getting into the combustion chamber.

I just drink the anti-freeze to see if I can taste the gas.

I'd check the oil for sure to make sure there isn't coolent in it.