So last August I ended up parking my car because of a blown headgasket. I wasn't able to fix it in my driveway because we aren't allowed to have non running vehicles in sight (dumbass law), so I had to wait until we built our new garage at our new house before I could work on her. The car still started up and drove, just not for an extended period of time (max of 5 minutes before the temp gauge shot up like the RPM tach). Anyways, I finally got the engine apart, and the head off only to find.... the headgasket in 1 piece! By looking at it, both the head and block LOOK straight, but wont find out until I have the head tested. My question is: Is there a common problem with the 3.1L thats related to my issue. I don't want to hear the 2.8 vs 3.1, because I don't give a ****. When I saw the headgasket in 1 piece, my heart dropped into my stomach.

Thanks guys.

 

That I know of there is no major structural problems with the 660 blocks. How did you come to the conclusion of a blown head gasket? Water in the oil? Oil in the water? Any other info would be a major help.

 

I came to the conclusion of a blown headgasket because when I put pressure on the radiator, it came POURING out between the head and the block on the passenger side.

 

I've not heard of that problem before. As you said, your having the heads checked. Take a decent power magnafiging glass and check the block for cracks in that area. Also, find the straitest edge you can find, and check the block for levelness.

Otherwise, I'm going to guess some how the head bolt(s) in that area worked loose creaking a leak.

It over heated because it prob didnt have enough antifreeze in the block from the leak and letting it sit.

 

That was actually my next question, because the front outside headbolt seemed loose. Is it common for these cars? Or just mine?

 

If the head bolts are loose, there's your answer right there. The blocks don't normally crack, but the heads do. Sounds like you already found the problem though. I'd replace the head bolts to be on the safe side, since they are torque to yield (at least the later ones are) and its not unusual for them to break (ask how I know!).

 

That's not common at all, it sounds like someone did the heads already at some point and screwed up by not torqueing the bolts correctly.