Page 1 of 1

Antifreeze in exhaust

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:07 pm
by x-rad
OK. here is the problem. Started my 3.0 up. Been stored for a few months. Started right up. Let it warm up for 20 min. Pressed the accel a few times - moderate revs. No smoke. No problems.

Then I went around front, listened to the engine. No bad noises. Then I pulled the oil dip stick out while the engine was running. Engine went from about 900 rpm to about 500rpm and a whole bunch of steam came out the exhaust!

I put the stick back in while still running and the idle increased back to 900rpm. Then I turned it off unti I figure this out. The coolant reservoir seemed to be under some pressure and was gurgeling a little. Temp was less than 175 according to the guage (which has been accurate). Driver's side coolant hose was hot. The passenger side coolant hose was cool. Fans did not kick on yet.

It seems like I released some major vaccuum (and I am pretty sure it was a vaccuum) in the crank case by removing the dip stick and this some how allowed coolant into the combustion chambers! Any ideas would be of great help!! Thanks!

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:34 pm
by Zamani
Take out all your plugs and see for tell tale signs of a leaky head gasket which would be a "clean" plug tip.

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:46 pm
by tomp
Heres a funny test that works. Stick a condom in place of the coolant tank cap and see if it inflates when running. Send is pic if it does.
-Tom P.

Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:38 am
by x-rad
what does that prove, head gasket leak?? or that my car is a STUD!

Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:35 pm
by MD
Well not exactly but it could tell you whether it is fkd or not. :D

Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:13 pm
by x-rad
I know it's FK'D. I tasted the bottom of the oil fill cap and it was very sweet....

As for the vacuum release, checked again today. Normal to have negative crank case pressure for emissions. Must have been a major fluke that the steam came out at exactly the same time as when I pulled the dip stick.