Ok, the engine is a ZZ4 crate. I noticed I was loosing coolant but couldn't figure out where it was going. When I removed the oil fill cap I noticed some water droplets on the underside of the cap. Also I saw a white film on the valve springs.

The engine is still running very strong, but I am very concerned about this water getting into the engine. I don't know where to start or what to do now, so I really need some input on this.

Thanks
Dave

 

Sounds like you should prepare yourself to exercise the warranty....

But first, check the intake gaskets and make sure they're not leaking; and make sure the PCV system is operating properly.

But it doesn't sound good at all.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

I wish this motor had a warrenty, but I bought it used. I had checked all the gaskets looking for a leak, and there aren't any. I pulled 1 plug from each head and they don't seem to have that green look I have seen from a blown head gasket. How should I go about checking the PCV system? Any other suggestions for me?

Thanks

[This message has been edited by david auster (edited August 19, 2001).]

 

Sounds like an intake manifold water passage leaking into the lifter valley...or, according to your spark plug observation, a blown head gasket. Whatever you do, stop driving it until you find the problem and eliminate it.

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1990 IROC 350
Mods: Too busy trying to make it run right to mod it.
Airfoil, Dynomax cat-back, MSD coil, 180 t-stat, Bald Eagle tires,
Hypertech fan switch, Accel 23# injectors, Holley AFPR, ported plenum,
Ported Daytona Yellow stock base, Moroso valve covers, other stuff,
Ruger P95DC, hot wife, new oil filter, thick rubber floormats, no cats.
18.0 @ 85MPH since I'm one big-a$$ MF
"It's better to have and not need than to need and not have."

 

Notice he said they DIDN'T have "that look" so it's not a blown head gasket.

Most then likely it's a blown intake gasket and it's leaking in the lifter valley.

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92 Z28 5.7
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Trick Flow 23° heads, Comp Cams XR270HR-10 cam, Accel intake base + ported TPI,
TES headers, Flowmaster catback, MSD ignition, #24 SVO injectors, 1LE aluminum driveshaft.

Click here to see pics of my car !

 

Oops! Check the intake manifold.

 

I hope it is just an intake gasket that is letting the water in. I am going to pull the intake hopefully this week to see what is going on. Will there be something pretty obvious if it was indeed my intake causing the leak?

Thanks

 

Just because they dont have that look doesnt mean its not a blown head gasket.

 

How can I tell if the head gasket is blown with the head still installed?

Thanks

 

Do a compression check.

Most certainly might be the head gasket but I would take the intake off and inspect that gasket first. It must come off anyway to change a head gasket.

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86 Camaro Sport
383 Speed-O-Motive Crate Engine, Raptor 700R4 Tranmission, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge G2's, 58mm Accel TB, 3.73 Auburn Pro, SLP Cold Air Induction and Headers, Hooker Cat-back, Serpentine Belt Setup, Dual IROC Fans, Jamex springs, 16" IROC Rims, 36mm/24mm Sway Bars, Global West Steering Brace. Hotchkis Rear LCA's,Panhard Bar and SFC's.
My Camaro Project

 

I will pull the intake off as soon as I return from vacation.

I did notice something yesterday that does make me think that it is indeed the intake gasket that is letting the water in. I mentioned eariler that when I took out the oil fill cap I noticed that white film. Well the other vavle cover also has a cap and I removed that one as well and it also had that white film in it.

Is this sounding more like an intake gasket now? I know I have to actually remove the parts to know for sure, I just want to try and go on vacation with a little piece of mind that my whole motor isn't ruined.

Thanks

 

Pressurize your cooling system, and see what happens. If the pressure bleeds off, well, you have a leak somewhere. (but, you already knew that.) Disconnect the power leads to the coil, and crank the engine with the pressure gauge on the radiator, if you immediately start building pressure, you have a blown head gasket. If not, yank the intake, and inspect. Leaks are not always obvious though, so, it may look just fine. With the intake off though, you might be able to see where the coolant has been running down.

Also, check your oil level. If the level is way up there, you need to start tearing down the motor.

Sorry dude.

Good luck

 

You need to inspect the oil level and the color of the oil. If it's high and/or it looks like a chocolate milkshake... well... that's not good news.