wtf have i done to my SHO :'(

[3leggedMoose]

Background

So i picked up an old gen. 2 1993 5-speed Ford Taurus SHO with 240xxx miles. Ive been working on a couple minor problems but it drove nice. white smoke would come from the front passenger wheel well everytime I drove the car but it drove perfectly. I know that it burned oil VERY fast and i had to top it off quite often.

The Problem

While i was driving home one night, a very loud sound came from the engine and it drove extremely rough. the front passenger wheel well and under the hood came ridiculous amounts of smoke. I was almost home and decided to try to make it there and check on the car. Before i could make it my car down shifted (I HAVE A MANUAL) until it eventually stalled in the middle of the road. I pushed the car onto the shoulder, popped the hood and hot oil covered the entire engine, some of which was burning on fire (though the flames died quickly) the car wouldnt start afterwards and i had to have it towed home. It has started since but I have been too afraid to drive it.

I have not taken the car to a shop to have it checked out, but i have a feeling the car is done for good. does anybody know what the problem may be?

 

[TimboSHO]

Probably blew the front main or a cam seal completely out. The reason it felt like it down shifted is because oil got on the timing belt and it slipped a couple of teeth. It must have not broken if you were able to fire it up after that. The front end of the motor needs be be taken apart to find out where it is leaking, but will likely need all new seals, timing belt, and you might as well do a water pump and crank sensor while you're in there. This is commonly referred to as a Front 60K service.

 

[pjtoledo]

crawl under and start looking for holes, or the biggest source of oil.

a manual that downshifted by itself???? not sure what to make of that. did the engine rev as the car slowed to a stop?

 

[luigisho]

Not sure I would trust it with that mileage. If it was me and I had another vehicle to drive, I would consider getting rid of it or look for a replacement motor. Before I bought one though, I would look over the wiring to make sure none of that was burned through. Depending on money situation and desire to salvage it I would say be practical and think about whether it was worth bringing back from the dead. Not something I would dive into, but everyone has their own priorities.

 

[sperold]

Might be the differential pin.
Figure out if it is engine oil or transmission fluid that is all over the engine compartment.
That might explain the "down shift" and the stall on the middle of the road, and the fact you can still get it to start.
It would be wise to get another entire car and swap in the motor or transmission or both.
Don't take it to a shop, you will be able to get the answer yourself.

 

[luigisho]

Might be the differential pin.
Figure out if it is engine oil or transmission fluid that is all over the engine compartment.
That might explain the "down shift" and the stall on the middle of the road, and the fact you can still get it to start.

Excellent point. That covers all the symptom bases.