91 park avenue help plz!

91s15jimmy · 06-09-2009, 11:23 PM

hello everyone. this car is not mine, it is my grandmothers and it hasnt been driven for a long time. its has the 3.8 and to be honest thats all i really know about the car. i was able to start it and get it running today and it appears to have atleast two major problems so far. when i filled the radiator with water it was bone dry. i left the car running and ran inside for just a min and when i came back out the engine bay was covered with water from the water pump im assuming because its making a grinding noise like the bearings are out. thats the first thing. the second is the fact that smoke is pouring out of the back end of the motor. im guessing head gasket but i dunno for sure just yet. i did check the oil and i didnt see any coolant in it but like i said it has been sitting for awhile so i dont know that thats a realiable way to tell. any advice or information would be much appresiated. i just need to kind of know what to expect and what to look for.

ZiggyPA · 06-10-2009, 02:57 AM

What color was the smoke?

91s15jimmy · 06-10-2009, 05:24 PM

thank you for the speedy reply. the color of the smoke is white, and there is plenty of it.

ZiggyPA · 06-11-2009, 04:05 AM

Then I'm afraid it is indeed the head gasket.

HotZ28 · 06-11-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

the second is the fact that smoke is pouring out of the back end of the motor

A few questions; is the smoke coming out (off) of the engine, or exhaust pipe? If you had "water all over the engine bay" this could be steam from the water vaporizing when the engine gets warm. If you know the water pump is leaking, replace it and do a pressure test on the cooling system and a compression test on the engine.

ZiggyPA · 06-11-2009, 08:14 AM

After reading Hotz' reply, I realized I misread your post, I was thinking the smoke came from the exhaust. What he writes makes perfect sense.
Your headgaskets would probably be fine !

91s15jimmy · 06-11-2009, 11:50 AM

well, i was hoping that it was indeed just water vapor but im not sure that it is just because the water that was getting shot out was more of a mist but i agree i think the best thing to do is a compression test. i had plans to work on it today but its been raining on and off but ill let you all know how it goes if i do go work on it! thanks for the responses all

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD