time to pull the engine?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
From: Manchester TN
time to pull the engine?
After 190,000 miles I think it might be time. I went to start the engine today and "thud". The starter worked but the engine wouldn't turn as if I had a seized alternator bearing. I loosened the drive belt and check all of the pullies. They were all ok. I tried to start it again and, low and behold, it started. I backed out of the garage and hopped out of the car to get something out of the truck. As I walked around the back of the car, I noticed smoke coming from both tailpipes. Could this be a bad cylinder ring? I would say that after 190,000 un-rebuilt miles, the rings are probably a bit tired. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln NE
Re: time to pull the engine? (torque91)
Might be a head gasket or cumbustion chamber coolant leak. If the engine was not turning over, one of the cylinders might have had water built up in it, preventing it from turning over. Then, if you let it set for a few minutes, enough water will leak out to allow the engine to turn over and start. The smoke that you are seeing could be steam.
I've seen head gasket failures act this way, plus I had a pinhole in one of the combustion chambers on my '86 'vette do the exact same thing.
I've seen head gasket failures act this way, plus I had a pinhole in one of the combustion chambers on my '86 'vette do the exact same thing.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
From: Manchester TN
Re: time to pull the engine? (torque91)
Thanks guys(2 of you anyway). I am colorblind so it makes diagnosing smoke and fluid leak sources a bit hard. I started up the car again after I got home yesterday and it took a while for the smoke to start again. I checked the dipstick and there is no sign of coolant in the oil. I replaced the head gaskets about 60,000 miles ago. It might be time to take a look at them again. Oh well, that’s a good excuse to get some head work done while I’m at it.
