Vette exploded!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Vette exploded!
Exaggerated subject.
Was driving on the interstate, going ~90mph when loud pop -> white smoke engulfed my c3 -> gas pool on my header -> all my motor oil pooling on the asphalt.
Just got it towed home.
First thought; I blew a header... but I'm not too sure...
Any advice?
Was driving on the interstate, going ~90mph when loud pop -> white smoke engulfed my c3 -> gas pool on my header -> all my motor oil pooling on the asphalt.
Just got it towed home.
First thought; I blew a header... but I'm not too sure...
Any advice?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
back story - I've had her for about 3 weeks... was in perfect order for about a week, then had difficulty turning over - had to hold the gas pedal down to start from cold. Also, the cockpit has been smelling very heavily of gasoline for the past two weeks.
Maybe related.
Maybe related.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
This doesn't sound good...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Passenger side and just how much oil was running out??? Maybe the fuel pump blew apart or it could be something much worse. All the oil leaking out after the engine is shut down would indicate a hole in the pan. Anything that makes holes in the pan is bad.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Jun 1, 2012 at 09:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
In the morning i'll take photos and point out where the gasoline was pooled, right beside the air filter. All the oil was below/on the side of the motor - I'm not sure if it is only oil though.
I haven't attempted to turn the engine over yet.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
A LOT of oil... all over the accident spot, on the tow truck, now on my driveway...
A hole in the pan sounds possible.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
You think that sounds bad? Wait till you hear this......
White smoke = coolant. So, we have coolant where it is not supposed to be. Not good.
Gasoline pooling on the header. I don't even know what the hell that means, but.....gasoline where it shouldn't be. Not good.
Oil pouring out. Not good.
If you have thrown a rod, there is a good chance that the entire bottom end is now junk. Not good.
Need more data! You are going to have to get under the car and do some detective work. You never know, it could be something easily fixed. I wouldn't bet the rent money on it, but it's possible.
Also, how do you blow a header? Wait, on second thought, don't answer that.......
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
White smoke = coolant. So, we have coolant where it is not supposed to be. Not good.
Gasoline pooling on the header. I don't even know what the hell that means, but.....gasoline where it shouldn't be. Not good.
Oil pouring out. Not good.
If you have thrown a rod, there is a good chance that the entire bottom end is now junk. Not good.
Need more data! You are going to have to get under the car and do some detective work. You never know, it could be something easily fixed. I wouldn't bet the rent money on it, but it's possible.
Also, how do you blow a header? Wait, on second thought, don't answer that.......
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
If it turns out that you engine is toast, this would probably be your least expensive option:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-10067353/
It comes with a warrant and everything. Here's hoping for the best, I'm rooting for you, man!
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Last edited by scottyp99; Jun 2, 2012 at 02:18 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Like Scottyp said, with what you know thus far, looks like you'll be replacing a bottom end at least. If you have no experience building an engine, or have tons of time, an engine from a supplier would be your best bet.
A friend who owns tools and has built an engine that hasn't blown up YET, or installed your water pump, is not concidered engine experience.
A friend who owns tools and has built an engine that hasn't blown up YET, or installed your water pump, is not concidered engine experience.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
Based on your description, and all further inquiries, it is extremely unlikely that this will not fall into the category of "Catastrophic Failure"
Its one thing to get a bunch of smoke and the car remains running. Its another thing to be cranking out 90mph, hear a "pop", get a bunch of smoke. "All my motor oil pooling on the asphalt" Does that mean that the car did not continue to run after this incident, or that you shut if off on your own? Im guessing that the car didnt continue to run.
Your motor probably has a newly installed set of windows.
The one and only thing that someone mentioned, that would give you this mess, would be if the fuel pump completely came apart, dumping oil all over the place.
I sincerely hope that you have a wacky problem like that, but Im not that optimistic.
Its one thing to get a bunch of smoke and the car remains running. Its another thing to be cranking out 90mph, hear a "pop", get a bunch of smoke. "All my motor oil pooling on the asphalt" Does that mean that the car did not continue to run after this incident, or that you shut if off on your own? Im guessing that the car didnt continue to run.
Your motor probably has a newly installed set of windows.
The one and only thing that someone mentioned, that would give you this mess, would be if the fuel pump completely came apart, dumping oil all over the place.
I sincerely hope that you have a wacky problem like that, but Im not that optimistic.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
Out of concern and sympathy for my fellow CF member, I've consulted my trusted crystal ball.
After a gentle shake, I let the white stuff settle and can now see something. Yes it's all clear to me now... '75, your car has been through an interesting life. A variaty of colorful characters have been behind the wheel and in the right seat too.... ooo you might want to give that right seat a nice cleaning.
But that's not what we're looking for today. The engine, yes I can see the engine. Many colorful characters have worked on the engine. I can see one of them may have been the cause of your current dilemma. Yes, I see a bit of the future too! Many colorful characters will be involved in the diagnosis and repair of this engine.
To confirm this, I have consulted my ever insightful, always correct Magic Eight Ball. "Is this the answer we are loookinggg forrrr?" After at good shake, the Eight Ball tells us "The outlook is not so good".