Okay. My 87 Cavalier 2.0L I4 overheated on a routine trip to Phoenix. Water pump had siezed up, and thermostat had gone out. Replaced both drained and refilled collant system with Prestone 50/50 antifreeze mix. Worked great for a day, now in park at first start it runs rough for a couple minutes, then its fine. Now theres a sludge in the radiator black and sticky. There's also the same sludge in the overfill resovoire that smells faintly like gas... any suggestions?


Thanks from a newb

Kyle

yuck..............
I think you might have a blown head gasket.

Severely overheated engines can blow a head gasket and sometimes warp or crack a cylinder head.

A good mechanic can do a leak-down test, where the spark plug is removed and compressed air is introduced into the cylinder when the valves are closed. Any head gasket or crack leaks will show up as bubbles coming out of the radiator.
It would be helpful to diagnose the leak first, before repairing it.

Okay. And the motor being in this current condition, I drove it to work today, with no problems, no performance difference. Should I worry about it dieing any time soon, it is unfortunatly my only method of transportation...?

Kyle

If you have oil and gas in your coolant, expect it to die VERY soon.. $100 worth of gaskets, and pulling the top-end can save it...

Man...I bought this car for $600 with a bad starter, owner told me the motor was recently rebuilt and there was nothing else wrong with the car. I've replaced the starter, lower radiator hose, alternator, battery, water pump, thermostat, 2 oil changes, and 6 bottles of coolant...It seems to be running fine now, checked oil from the dip stick and looks fine, car gets me to work no problem....So it could die at ANY time? Low on cash for 2 weeks, maybe I should look into a car loan...


Kyle

P.S. - Replacing the head gasket, huge repair, or something a newb could do with motor-in-car? What else would have to be done?

I wouldn't recommend a newbie try a head gasket. There are specific torque values and certain tightening specs. to go by. If you feel comfortable ripping the head off, get a Haynes or Chiltons to help you out.

Is it the 2.0 OHC or OHV?

I have a certified mechanic living with me...he can help me with that. Just wondering. I believe its the OHC simple version lol.


Kyle

Overhead cam heads aren't too easy..

Yeah you have to tear it down to the exhaust manifold...

WONDERFUL!!! I bought the most easy, lego-like, snap together car...lol...oh well...I got a mountain in the backyard...I might go have some fun...

Found out I may have had a DEX-Cool issue with GM, looking into it now. This dex-cool prestone mixture may be to blame for the overheat...it actually died on me on my way to work today....B-E-A-UTIFUL!!! I need a new car ASAP!!!

funny, I bought the same exact car for the same price and just pulled out the bad starter. Previously, i drove it to work the day after I bought it by knocking the starter with a pipe before ignition. i did this 2 more times to leave work, and gas up. it finally died in my driveway! phew