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discolored tips, what's wrong?

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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 09:25 PM
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Default discolored tips, what's wrong?

I just noticed the driver side tips are covered with a powdery light substance. It's been running good, but maybe some extra stumbling around idle. The right side is normal (dark and shiny). The left side somethings up! I don't drive it in the rain, but the garage door was open and got everything wet... I guess I should pull the plugs on that side and see what's up. Have you seen this before - any ideas?



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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 10:08 PM
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maybe cats obliterating?
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 10:25 PM
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Coolant level ok?
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Reid
Coolant level ok?

Thats what I was thinking as well...
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 10:47 PM
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Yeah the coolant overflow is about empty. Some of it went somewhere. What would that indicate?

I checked the oil on dipstick - looks normal. I pulled the 4 plugs on that side - all look good. I'm confused!

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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by AVB
maybe cats obliterating?
I guess that would require a visual inspection to confirm? If I pull the H pipe, I get a clear view of the cats on the front side.
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 11:40 PM
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Coolant disapearing could be a blown head gasket.
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Old Nov 3, 2006 | 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by chriswtx
Coolant disapearing could be a blown head gasket.
hmmm, what a pisser

The oil dipstick and spark plugs look OK. All 4 plugs on the driver side look the same... Haven't noticed any smoke. I guess if the head gasket is blown, it will get worse over time?
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Old Nov 3, 2006 | 12:37 AM
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Yeah, fill the coolant and keep an eye on it...
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Old Nov 3, 2006 | 12:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Chris Stewart
hmmm, what a pisser

The oil dipstick and spark plugs look OK. All 4 plugs on the driver side look the same... Haven't noticed any smoke. I guess if the head gasket is blown, it will get worse over time?
Might as well retorque that side while you see how things go..
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Old Nov 3, 2006 | 12:41 AM
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Originally Posted by AVB
Might as well retorque that side while you see how things go..
Yeah, I think I'd try that before anything else. Chris, did you loosen/remove/replace your heads during your build up? If so, did you follow the torque order and values of the service manual? If you don't have that info let me know and I'll post it up. The torque order ensures an even load across the gasket to help prevent you from pushing coolant.
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Old Nov 3, 2006 | 12:44 AM
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you should notice steam if it's the head gasket. Look at it after it warms up (after it burns off the condensation) and see. If you don't see steam, I'd wipe the tips and watch it come back. If it does, I'd then start looking at the cats.
Also, Is it oily? Smell it.. antifreeze smells. Oil just smells like oil. Burnt/broken cats smell like dust. Burning cats smell like sulfur.
I'd do a leak down test before tearing off the heads. Unless you're looking for an excuse to do some "needed" mods.
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