Our Community is 940,000 Strong. Join Us.


Coolant in cylinders


808RIPPUH
09-18-2012, 12:24 AM
My 97 cavalier z24 is leaking coolant into the 2nd and 4th cylinders.. Could it be cracked cylinders, a warped head or head gasket?

gmtech1
09-18-2012, 08:28 AM
Most likely a head, or head gasket problem. A compression test should show where the problem is. Pull the head and have it checked for cracked and warpage.

808RIPPUH
09-19-2012, 03:32 AM
Thanks, I'll pull it off when I get the chance. It doesn't want to fire either. Could that be a lack of compression? I can get it to start but it takes a while and it dies when I take my foot off the gas.

gmtech1
09-19-2012, 07:39 AM
Thanks, I'll pull it off when I get the chance. It doesn't want to fire either. Could that be a lack of compression? I can get it to start but it takes a while and it dies when I take my foot off the gas.

Yes. lack of compression and coolant in cylinders would make it hard to start.

danielsatur
09-19-2012, 10:33 AM
If 4-cylinder, it's probably a bad head, or gasket.
If V8, you might be able to get away with doing only 1-head (cylinders 1-4).
If V6, a bad intake or gasket can pull water into the engine.
If the compression is good, lean towards a bad Intake or intake gasket.

Add your comment to this topic!