So the other day I was driving home in my loyale wagon(fwd 3at) and noticed that the oil pressure was very low according to the gauge then I looked and saw that the temperature was all the way off the charts. As I was slowing down to pull over the car died, but I was able to get it restarted. The car did not steam but did make a rattle when the throttle was applied. I was able to get it the half mile home. I let the car cool down over night and then refilled the coolant which was entirely empty. Now when the car is run it runs well for about 15 minutes but steam or liquid water will come out of the exhaust. After about 15 minute the oil pressure will fall and then the car overheats and dies. I saw this once before on a BMW that had a cracked head. Is it likely that a crack has formed between a cylinder head and a coolant tube, or is there something else that I might be missing? Lemme know what you guys think.

I is possible that this is just a blown headgasket. Although if you got it that hot it could have triggered a crack somewhere but likely just the gasket. The gaskets are pretty cheap, and the job is easy to do if you are mechanially inclined. Since it did run hot fo a while I would have the heads pressure tested and have themn resurfaced. Might need to resurface the block too. If you pull the heads and see little cracks between each of the valves don't worry, those are normal. Look in the exhaust ports and if you see cracks there then uh oh.

most likely a head gasket. they typically blow very easily if the car is overheated. often times overheatin caused by coolant loss (a hose, clamp, leak or water pump failure) will cause a blown headgasket right away due to the fact that the gasket is 20 years old.

 

there's an off chance, unlikely, that the intake manifold gasket is leaking coolant into the the engine. not likely, but they are much cheaper and easier to fix.

 

if you fix the headgasket, make sure you fix the cause of it blowing. you probably have a bad radiator, hose or clamp or leak somewhere else.

Actually one more thing.

 

When you get the heads off, make sure that the piston sleeve has not moved. This is done with a straight edge across the deck. When you get the engine so hot as to damage (which you have), its a possability that it has moved, then the engine is scrap. Also you must do an oil change to protect your bottom end. I fear that you may have wiped out the main bearings also. That rattling noise is not a good thing, especially after this scenario.

 

nipper

I was thinking the rattling and the initial overheating were probably both from incorect timing. Too far advanced. And how do you tell if the sleeve has moved with the pistons in it? you can't see the wrist pin notches?

Actually one more thing.

 

 

These heads also have a pugnacity for

developing a crack in the exhaust port runner.

 

Best to look for this when you have the heads off.

 

It will show up as a steam cleaned line seen when

looking up the exhaust port.

Actually one more thing.

 

 

These heads also have a pugnacity for

developing a crack in the exhaust port runner.

 

Best to look for this when you have the heads off.

 

It will show up as a steam cleaned line seen when

looking up the exhaust port.

 

I've never seen a Non-Turbo EA82 engine have those cracks. Not that you shouldn't look for them but I wouldn't be too worried