Blown Motor?

[HootUSMC]

Hi folks, new member here. I am the owner of a 94 red atx with 141k. I bought the car from a guy who seemed to have taken very good care of the car (I was told by other posters on this board that he did), the car was cosmeticly and mechanically sound, other than it needed a water pump, which I suspected when I bought it, but was ready to fix it anyway. I have owned the car for about 2 months now and have loved every minute of it and have no complaints about the previous owner (I just want to make this clear, as I am not trying to flame anyone). Last thursday night I was taking a turn and she stalled out, I pulled over and it resatrted fine. Then, I noticed hesitation while giving it gas, all around 2500-3000 rpm, bucking and almost a popping sound coming from underneath, so the first thing I thought was a clogged cat or something. I parked the car and came back a few hours later, it started right up with noi odd noises, but when I put it in D it did it again, now at lower rpms. I wouldn't do it in N or P. I limped home and parked it again. The next morning I came out and it started right up, but when I gave it a little rev same deal. Shut it down and looked under the hood, the coolant resivoir was very low, no puddle. I let the car cool down and came back out a few hours later and looked again, same deal, after popping the raidiator cap I got squirted so it was full. I'm thinking a coolant leak into the motor. I brought it to my regular machanic and he said valves or something, and then quoted me 2500 to motor swap "cause it's a big motor, ya know, it's a V8" "ummm no it's not, it is a 3.2 DOCH v6" "yeah I know what it is, it's a big motor", so as you can see I am rather hesitant to let him touch it now. I am sending it up to Kirk at NorthEast SHO for him to take a look at (a 62 mile tow so if anyone in the Boston area with a truck and a hauler wants to help out.....) but I'd like to get an idea on what you folks seemed to think. I love this car and want to keep it, and am willing to spend a little money to get it running again, but is it worth it?

 

[AREA 91]

Step one is to pull the codes.

 

[SASHO91]

almost sounds like an ignition problem....

but pulling the codes would be the first step you need to take.

it is very hard to blow these motors... unless your FI.

 

[HootUSMC]

I don't have a code puller

 

[SASHO91]

do you have a paper clip????

 

[HootUSMC]

I think I have one somewhere, but uh, why?

 

[jedhead]

paper clip method can be found here:

www.shotimes.com

Bob

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

pull codes to confirm, but my vote is a bad fuel pump.

 

[HootUSMC]

I thought it was fuel or spark as well, but my regular mechanic says no. I think I'm just going to have it towed to NorthEast SHO. I'm going to pull the codes once it is towed back to my driveway, thanks for the paperclip trick!

 

[SASHO91]

I thought it was fuel or spark as well, but my regular mechanic says no.

Well thats why he's a regualar mechanic....

No offense to him, or your decision to take it to him.... but most mechanics dont know didly squat about the sho.....

 

[HootUSMC]

I figured as much, I only took it to him because he's a friend of the family and lets me have a payment schedule, they've done a lot of work on other cars of mine, installing bits and peices of go fast parts with no problem, but I was wary of bringing it to him, but I was hoping it was something minor.

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

I figured as much, I only took it to him because he's a friend of the family and lets me have a payment schedule, they've done a lot of work on other cars of mine, installing bits and peices of go fast parts with no problem, but I was wary of bringing it to him, but I was hoping it was something minor.

Not fuel or spark...hmmm doesnt leave much else. Must be gremlins eh?

 

[HootUSMC]

I juist talked to the owner of the shop I originally sent my car to and he said it was the head gasket. SHould I replace the whole motor or just the gasket and water pump?

 

[BlackandBlue]

I juist talked to the owner of the shop I originally sent my car to and he said it was the head gasket. SHould I replace the whole motor or just the gasket and water pump?

I would get your SHO up to NE SHO as soon as you can. I really doubt you blew a headgasket (very rare on stock SHO's). You will actually save money with NE SHO since they know SHO's inside and out and will be able to fix it right the first time instead of throwing parts at it.
Eric

 

[HootUSMC]

It's going to NE SHO tomorrow. I'm pretty sure that coolant leaked into the motor, no coolant, no puddle.....

 

[SLoW_SHO_316]

Good luck with the fix! Sounds like you've got a regular coolant leak that may be burning off somewhere, and possibly something ignition related. I'm sure Kirk will figure it out I would highly doubt you have a blown HG or blown motor.

 

[HootUSMC]

I'm hoping for the best, I'd like to keep the car, but I can't afford to spend too much on it, wife won't let me.

 

[ohfosho]

well if the car overheated somehow..maybe the fan wasnt working before you got it...and was replaced, but the car was overheated...which can warp the heads, or wreck the gasket. thats if you have refilled your coolant and it is indeed going down at a steady rate, and you have no leaks like you said. remember it is normal for a car to evapourate small amounts of coolant over time...seeing as though coolant is mixed 50-50 with water then put in the car.

 

[HootUSMC]

It's never overheated to my knowledge while I owned it, my wife drives it too so I'll have to ask her. The highest I've seen the temp needle go was between the M and the R in "NORMAL", that was on a hot day in traffic with the auto climate on set at 68. The coolant isn't low, it is down to less than an inch, the radiator is full though.

 

[SASHO91]

One thing that hasnt been covered is the overflow bottle.
As it may not appear to leak, while your running down the highway coolant can weap out...

its a common (well sort of) thing that happens to most sho's overflow bottles....