Possible Head Gasket Issues

[SonicRiot]

I have some problems with my SHO that I are sowly multiplying. One of which is that I am losing a large amount of coolant on a weekly basis (but no white smoke is emerging from the tailpipes). I can smell it burning and cannot find a leak. I am seriously down on power as well. In 5th on the highway at 75 MPH and the car virtually does not move...and the car dogs while it digs from a stop.

I have yet to do a cylinder balance test or a compression and leak down test. Not a single code has been thrown. No white residue around the block. I do know that my valve cover gaskets and spark plug gaskets are bad as there is oil in my plug wells. Excessive water is coming from the tailpipes, even when the car is warm. There appears to be some carbon along with the water and the tailpipes are blackened from oil consumption.

So I'm thinking I have a bad headgasket. I know this to be very common on Ford 3.8L, but I haven't heard this complaint on an SHO. My car has 94K and appears it is in need of a premature 60k service.

Any advice? Any suggestions for other areas of trouble? Any other ideas as to what the **** is wrong with my car?

Thanks in advance.

 

[AutoSHO]

If you've got that many problems at 94k, you might want to look into a 3.2L instead of trying to fix what you've got.

Also, how is a 60k that is performed 34k miles late, premature?

 

[jelloslug]

Go to AutoZone and get the loaner coolant system pressurizer they have. I will let you pressurizer the cooling system and find your leak.

 

[shobikes]

Yeah - I'd check out the cooling system with the pressurizer before making any rash assumptions. The power problem could easily be related to plug wires arcing thru your oil, or bad O2 sensors seriously richening the mixture, or clogged cats. Maybe your water pump is starting to go south. Run the codes and balance test before doing anything. Head gaskets seem to be one thing that is good on these cars.

AutoSHO - I think he was saying that 94k is well before 120k, assuming the first 60k was done...

 

[SonicRiot]

I am way ahead of you guys. I have made no assumptions. Coolant system has been checked for leaks, pressure tested, and the water pump is in good condition. O2 sensors respond properly but there is a small possiblity they are not heating right. That would not explain the excessive water in the exhaust or the loss of coolant. The cats are definately not clogged, not running too hot, and are not glowing. And no matter how much I keep the plug wells dry, there is no change in performance. I am pretty convinced I have a compression problem.

Jelloslug: thanks for the tip. Just tested it at my garage in school.

AutoSHO: I don't know if a PROPER 60k was ever done on this car...the original owner and the mechanic that has worked on it for years both claimed it had been done. I'm not convinced, but who knows and at this point, who cares? It just needs to be done. :headbang:

I am seriously considering a 3.2L upgrade... or perhaps a nasty 3.3L N/A build. Seems like it might cost more, but it will put a bigger smile on my face when it's done.

But I am right in saying that headgaskets are not a common issue on these engines?

 

[SonicRiot]

Ok...tested for HC's in the coolant system...none. Headgasket is fine.

I do have perfectly clear water coming from my tailpipes, which is supposed to indicate perfect combustion. But I still have the black carbon stuff floating out with the water. Due to the recent discovery of the headgasket NOT being bad, before I bother doing a leakdown and compression test, I'm going to look elsewhere for a power loss and coolant loss. I just dumped some UV die in the coolant and will search today for a leak.

I'll keep you guys posted.

BTW: Thanks for the offer on the Headgaskets, Bizzy.

 

[morpho18]

where would one find UV dye? My SHO is having the same problems. Granted the plug wells are filled with oil, i have been losing coolant from somewhere, and it is slowly starting to leak faster. I have absolutely no idea where it is coming from. It started just after i replaced my intake after cleaning it, but the leak isn't coming from the TB. is there a coolant line somewhere on the passenger side of the engine bay that might have been cracked or pinched when i re-installed my intake?

 

[SonicRiot]

The UV dye can be used in almost all auto fluids to find leaks...it's part of a tool kit that is quite expensive, but I'm sure cheaper alternatives can be found at AutoZone. My school shop has the kit, so I got off easy.

 

[autobahnsho]

where would one find UV dye? My SHO is having the same problems. Granted the plug wells are filled with oil, i have been losing coolant from somewhere, and it is slowly starting to leak faster. I have absolutely no idea where it is coming from. It started just after i replaced my intake after cleaning it, but the leak isn't coming from the TB. is there a coolant line somewhere on the passenger side of the engine bay that might have been cracked or pinched when i re-installed my intake?

There are several hoses that are hooked to the throttle body that might be leaking. I'd start with double checking those. There really aren't any coolant hoses that are up by the intake on the pass. side, but you might have disturbed some of the other ones doing your work.

Speaking from experience, I'd check the plug wires, and get the gasket set to fix your oil in the plug wells problem. The wires are $50-100, and if you let them sit in oil they'll crack and make the car almost undriveable...

 

[SonicRiot]

Found my friggin leaks!!!! That UV dye stuff is AWESOME! I found little trails and was able to source the leak.

It just HAPPENED to be one of those little hoses that I used to bypass the TB and IAB. The clamp is soft and the hose is brittle. Time for some new hoses. :headbang:

Also, I replaced my cap and no longer get a strong smell of burning coolant. So my headgasket is definately not an issue right now... knock on wood!