Hello everyone,

I could really, really use some help here, my 82 SE w/91,000 orig miles was running fine until it went on a dyno for state emissions testing last week and came out 20 minutes later running at close to 240 degrees. Now, even after a five minute warm up in -14 degree weather here in CT, she's at 235. It has a 180 thermostat in it. It never ran hotter than 180 before the testing.

Today a local mechanic said that the thermostat and water pump were ok, but he saw "20 lbs of pressure in the radiator after a 5 minute warm up, indicating that exhaust fumes were getting in the cooling system and therefore the head gasket must be replaced" for $1700, or a new engine for $4500.

I don't trust this. Please tell me what I should do. I don't want to let this car go after 18 years with it, but 2K is more than I can afford to do right now.

BTW- The car failed the Nox part of the emissions test too.

-Thanks, Keith

 

It's possible. If vapors are getting into the coolant, you are probably getting coolant in your oil. Have you looked at it? Does it look like chocolate milk? If so, you're hosed. If not, he stilll could be right.

 

Got a completely different second opinion from a different mechanic.

This mechanic found no problems with the amount of pressure in the cooling system, and did not find coolant in the crankcase. He did replace the thermostat from a 180 to a 195 model, indicating that the computer chip was programmed to open the loop at 186 degrees, and he also replaced the temp sending unit. A laser temp gun showed the engine running 12 degrees cooler than the temp gauge shows, and since the gauge fluctuates temp readings (it swings from 150-230 in minutes depending if standing still or driving), I will probably replace that soon to get a better idea of where the temp really stands.

How two different mechanics got such different diagnosis is beyond me, and I'm left wondering what's really going on.

At least I can drive it right now without having to run the heat to keep it from overheating. Any other ideas of what is going on would still be appreciated.

Thanks, Keith