C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 4, 2002 | 08:08 PM
  #1  
x_streme's Avatar
x_streme
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Default Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!?

I am losing coolant, no leaks, and smoke is pouring out of the tailpipes! My computer through me a code 14. I filled the coolant and started it up, still smokes (smells like coolant). as long as I keep putting coolant in it, it is not overheating either. The oil is fine, no water. I am totaly clueless.:confused: any ideas?

TIA
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2002 | 08:12 PM
  #2  
mjg86's Avatar
mjg86
Advanced
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

Sounds like a head gasket leak.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2002 | 08:26 PM
  #3  
PonyH8R's Avatar
PonyH8R
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 0
From: Chino Valley AZ
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (mjg86)

:yesnod:
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2002 | 08:36 PM
  #4  
Corvette0096's Avatar
Corvette0096
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver,Wa.
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

Head gasket.. :smash: Make sure there is no oil in the water and if there is flush the oil asap
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2002 | 08:52 PM
  #5  
Marcho Polo's Avatar
Marcho Polo
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,637
Likes: 1,666
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

same thing happened on my car two weeks ago. Head gasket leak by number 7 cylinder. Car ran fine, never overheated, just lost coolant.

Quick test.... take the radiator cap off overnight, and see if a cylinder fills with water. I'll put money on number 7 or 8. You'll need to pull the spark plug out the next day to let the water out. You probably won't be able to turn it over the next day either.....

Reply
Old Jun 4, 2002 | 10:33 PM
  #6  
98NYFINESTVETTE's Avatar
98NYFINESTVETTE
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,446
Likes: 1
From: 10.70 @ 124mph, Stock Bottom End @ 3620lbs, ECS Racing Team Member. The 1st NMCA LSX Index Rumble World Champion. 2011,12,13 Champion
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

You can pull the spark plugs and that will tell you which cylinder is leaking.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2002 | 10:40 PM
  #7  
joalyons's Avatar
joalyons
Racer
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Springboro OH
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

Let it sit overnight, pull all the plugs and turn it over, if water comes out one of the cyl's you have your problem identified. You can also drain the oil, the dip stick did not have any water on it with mine but when I drained the oil there was clearly water in the oil. Good luck.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2002 | 10:52 PM
  #8  
xzvs's Avatar
xzvs
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

Just did the head gaskets on my 88 --same thing exactly -- and it was #7 where it was blown. Do not pressurise the system without the engine running. :nono: If you get coolant in the cyl and crank it with the plugs in it you can spit a rod out the side!! Also chances are you don't see any water in the oil on the dipstick as I didn't either --but when I took the valve covers off --yuk!!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 5, 2002 | 10:36 PM
  #9  
x_streme's Avatar
x_streme
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

And the winner is....


Number Two... Full of water in about two hours. I have the gaskets on order, guess I know what I'm doin' this weekend!

Thanks again for the help guys.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2002 | 11:13 PM
  #10  
XtremeVette's Avatar
XtremeVette
NCM Bash 2008-2018
Supporting Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA Talladega Super Speedway Vettes 4 Vets Ambassador
Middle TN Events Coordinator
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

woah!!! Brian now your freaking me out...lol...with all our similar problems.....I pray iam not instore for this one next!

lets see....

Craig Marcho....1990
Brian (x_streme).....1990
Me......... 1990

please please please....praying to the vettegods....don't let me be in store for this one too...

I already have enough probs with my transmission issues.....jeff :cool:
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2002 | 10:35 AM
  #11  
xzvs's Avatar
xzvs
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

Weekend??? This is a 17 hour job by the mitchell manual. You should send your heads off to a machine shop and have em checked cleaned etc. That cost ya 1-3 days at the machine shop easy. Also, when you get the complete gasket set --send the valve seals to the machine shop or they will charge you for new ones. Have them check your valve springs and guides. Try to save the gaskets for the egr tube and air pump as they don't come in most sets. Mark you rotor position and dist position for an easy start afterwards --and once everything is apart do not move the crank. You can set the engine to tdc before hand and that will save you some greif. Do remember to clean your head bolt threads and apply approved sealer to them on re-assembly.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2002 | 12:04 PM
  #12  
GlockLT4's Avatar
GlockLT4
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (Marcho Polo)

same thing happened on my car two weeks ago. Head gasket leak by number 7 cylinder. Car ran fine, never overheated, just lost coolant.

Quick test.... take the radiator cap off overnight, and see if a cylinder fills with water. I'll put money on number 7 or 8. You'll need to pull the spark plug out the next day to let the water out. You probably won't be able to turn it over the next day either.....
I wouldn't try to turn it over either. Just pull the plug and turn the crank by hand. If coolant comes out with after 4 full rotations, then you've found your problem. Compressing liquid in your clyinder is NOT good on your engine :eek: :eek: :eek:
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2002 | 12:16 PM
  #13  
bill mcdonald's Avatar
bill mcdonald
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (XtremeVette)

woah!!! Brian now your freaking me out...lol...with all our similar problems.....I pray iam not instore for this one next!

lets see....

Craig Marcho....1990
Brian (x_streme).....1990
Me......... 1990

please please please....praying to the vettegods....don't let me be in store for this one too...

I already have enough probs with my transmission issues.....jeff :cool:
I have a 1990, and I have blown the gasket at #7, twice.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2002 | 12:26 PM
  #14  
quiksilver458's Avatar
quiksilver458
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

sounds like the head gasket!! :jester
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2002 | 12:44 PM
  #15  
Marcho Polo's Avatar
Marcho Polo
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,637
Likes: 1,666
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (x_streme)

Like the others, don't plan on a one-day or even one-weekend job. I did mine in an extreme rush, and it still took 6 days.

Day one was tearing the motor down, day two was finishing tear down and dropping heads off at machine shop. Day three was picking heads up from machine shop. Day four was rest. Day five was putting it all back together with the help of two friends... working from 9am to almost midnight! Day six was finishing up the intake and accessories, then finally starting the car.


Check out some pics and stuff here:

http://home.flash.net/~reggy/head/head.html
http://home.flash.net/~reggy/head/head_day2.html
http://home.flash.net/~reggy/head/da.../head_day3.htm
http://home.flash.net/~reggy/head/da...head_day4.html


Four days of hard work, but six days from start to finish.

good luck!

Reply
Old Jun 6, 2002 | 04:05 PM
  #16  
PonyH8R's Avatar
PonyH8R
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 0
From: Chino Valley AZ
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (Marcho Polo)

Just a question, I am getting ready to do this procedure as well and have been adding up the costs on parts and was wondering what some of the shops have charged for working on the heads, valves and so. Just so I can get a true ballpark figure on the budget.

Thanks in advance!!

:cheers:
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2002 | 04:39 PM
  #17  
xzvs's Avatar
xzvs
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (kghott)

Ballpark $2500 plus tax here in socal.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!?

Old Jun 6, 2002 | 06:02 PM
  #18  
PonyH8R's Avatar
PonyH8R
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 0
From: Chino Valley AZ
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (xzvs)

Just giving them the heads costs that much?? :eek: :eek:
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2002 | 06:20 PM
  #19  
Marcho Polo's Avatar
Marcho Polo
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,637
Likes: 1,666
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (kghott)

there are many different things they can do to the heads.
Just guessing off the top of my head, these should be pretty close:


Surfacing = $35 per head
valve guides = about $5 per guide = $40 per head
valve job = $50 per head
if you need new valves = about $5 each or $40 per head
valve seals = ??? can't remember!
if you need springs = ????
Maybe they just shim the springs... less $$$

best thing is to call a local machine shop, they'll tell you everything.

when I did my heads recently, I didn't have time to leave them at the shop for the works, I just had them checked, cleaned and surfaced. Cost me $90. I had to get the car back together within a week, and if they did a valve job, I would have missed my deadline.

Total cost for me to do the work on my own car was about $500 and that inlcuded a new Delco water pump, and a new timing chain/gear set. Of course, a full top end TPI gasket set was in there too, along with all kinds of little things.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2002 | 06:26 PM
  #20  
PonyH8R's Avatar
PonyH8R
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 0
From: Chino Valley AZ
Default Re: Help!! I'm burning coolant WTF?!?!? (Marcho Polo)

Thanks!! That is much easyier to swallow than 2500.

:cheers:
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:44 PM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE