Damn this car gives me so much grief!!

Anyway, I notice that I have air bubbles coming up into the coolant overflow tank, but only when releasing the throttle. Not while idling. I also noticed that in the winter there was a LOT of white steam coming from the exhaust. My exhaust smells very weird, it's very strong, but I can't decide if it is sweet or not. I checked oil & tranny levels: Oil is about double what it should be. Tranny is about 4 times what it should be. I think this is the previous owners doing (I just bought the car)

Also, the car overheated at about 250* last week, cause the fans dont work.

What could this be? Possible blown head gasket? Just me being paranoid? Any ideas welcomed...also any tests for me to do to narrow it down. Thanks!!

 

Forgot to mention, it idles at around 500, and idles very rough. I am also aware of a semi-severe exhaust leak. It has significantly reduced torque until about 2200 rpms. I also recently changed the coolant, which is what Vadar was going to mention I'm sure So I'm hoping it's just the air from the tap water I used, but I want to be sure before I drive her around.

What tests can I do to determine what the problem is?

 

I had an 86 with similar problems. First off the white smoke may be just condinsation. Now that the weathers warmer, check to see on a dry day if it does it after the car is warmed up. Now as far as coolent goes, when your car is cold start it up with the radiator cap off, and let the coolent circulate, and keep adding more until its full. Then cap her up.(I'm sure you did this, but I'm just thinking of every simple solution) I made this mistake with my 86 when I was younger, and it had the same bubbling and overheating symtoms. Good luck man


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91'Z28 305 TPI *stock for now*

 

Oh yeah I forgot to mention one other thing. If you have a manifold leak your car might smell bad out the back because of the mixture. Does it smell sorta like gas? Its more than likely running rich becasue of the leak before your o2 sensor.

 

Yeah it does smell rich! I was wondering about that too...I need to find the damn exhaust leak. Sounds like it's coming from just after the SLP headers. A pain to figure out exactly where though.

I've done/verified those two things already. Any other ideas?

[This message has been edited by bomax (edited April 20, 2001).]

 

BTT

My main question: How can I tell if I have a head gasket leak?

Also, are air bubbles in the coolant recovery tank normal when revving up?

 

The oil doesn't have a thick cottage cheese consistancy to it does it? You might want to change out the oil on it to see. If there is coolant in there it'll show up just floating on top or mixed in. You will see it though that way. Plus then you can get the oil level back down to where it is supposed to be anyways...

Mike

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1989 RS.. Newly installed 350,bored out 30 over, Hypereutectic pistons, double roller cam, double roller timing chain, accel wires, blue streak cap and rotor, rapidfire plugs, chevy caprice 350 chip, 200* fan switch, 3 angle valve job.

 

you could also pull out the spark plugs to check the colour. Any coolant will burn the spark plugs clean. Check them all so you can compare.

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85 Berlinetta Iroc exterior NOW 454 powered, 4.10 gears, and a PILE of other goodies..........YES, it's street driven!

check it out at http://www.bsronline.net/members/rob/rob_specs.html

 

Find a shop that has a radiator pressure tester. You put about 15 lbs into the radiator and let it sit a bit. After a few minutes, you check to see if you have lost pressure. If you do, you have a leak. On mine, I lost pressure. When I pulled out my plugs, water came from #8.

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1992 Pontiac Firebird 350/Six Speed
1987 Toyota Pickup 383/500+ HP