Ok, here's the deal at lunch today I was headed out, when the car started acting funny. No power, rough idle, etc, so I immediately turned around and went back to work. I looked and no rediator fluid. hmmm.. I live in Florida and it is a warm day and I have had to make a bunch of short trips from one building to another... So i figure I must have burned it up or something.. I let it cool, and filled the reservoir with water, figuring that would get me home...

After sitting for 2 hours it has cooled, I just went out and started it and now it smells like it is burning the radiator fluid. White smoke coming out the back, etc.

So, 2 questions,
1, is it safe to drive home (9 miles, but some stop and go, 30 minutes tops).

2. I am going to remove the top end of the engine tonight, but I have never cracked the heads. What do I need to know or do before proceding?

Thanks

 

Check your oil... white smoke in the exhaust every time I've seen it has turned out to be steam and a blown head gasket. So check your oil first. If it looks like a bunch of soupy light brownish goo, you blew a head gasket and your radiator emptied itself into your oil.

 

it definately sounds like a blown head gasket, also check to see if any antifreeze mixed with the oil to make a tasty soup.

 

Yep, blown head gasket.. I took the high road and had it towed home... Found #7 cylander full of radiator fluid.. yummy!!

A week and a half later and it is finally back together (almost) and I should be starting for the first time since tonight.

 

it was a good idea to tow it instead of drivin it cause then youd have to most likely replace the motor and such depending on driving habits.

 

As most will probably recommend... Be NICE to the engine for a few thousand miles after replacing the head gasket.

Depending on how long it had been leaking - Probably a few days at least (My GTZ ran for 4 days until one day at lunch, it blew all the way), it may have done serious damage to your bearings. I would recommend driving as "granny-like" as you can until you have some more miles on it... Personal recommendation: Change yer oil within 1000 miles of replacement. The oil will collect any coolant still in the motor and by changing it a little earlier, you can clean that crap out and hopefully prevent any future damage...

Take it from me: I spent $1300 having a head gasket and water pump replaced on my Quad4 about 3 years ago, only to have the original motor's bearing die tragically about 3 months later.