3.1 with gunk in engine
tibboneus
03-13-2004, 10:55 AM
Problem : slimey white goo all inside engine.
Last winter it was just too flippin cold to change the oil myself (outside -35C and windy ALWAYS) so I regrettable went to a 'we destroy your car in 30 minutes or less' place. Now for some reason I did not take good care of the car for those few months between changes and failed to open up the oil cap to look inside. When I had gotten around to openning up the cap I noticed this strange off-white goo (with a hint of burning to it) coating the cap and the insides of the engine. After this I started checking around and looking for the root of it.
My father had suspected there was excess moisture in the block due to a plugged pcv valve. I popped it off and dang near got my finger sucked into it, valve is good on that end. I pulled the hose (one that goes to back side, dad said it was the air into the engine) off the intake hose and there was no pressure diff. I blew in the line and it seemed blocked .. and I got some nasty blow back, bad idea, don't try.
Some time has passed, 2 oil changes and the gunk is still there. That hose going to the back is now clear but goo will not leave. I'm hoping it isn't moisture or the block will start rusting likely.
During the winter I was only driving (city traffic) for 8 miles and the car just never warmed up. Now I moved and I get a nice 35 mile highway trip.
Any suggestions as to what this stuff is and how to get rid of it? I was thinking of attempting to spray the block from the inside with used oil during a change, but that may prove to be tricky.
Thanks
Last winter it was just too flippin cold to change the oil myself (outside -35C and windy ALWAYS) so I regrettable went to a 'we destroy your car in 30 minutes or less' place. Now for some reason I did not take good care of the car for those few months between changes and failed to open up the oil cap to look inside. When I had gotten around to openning up the cap I noticed this strange off-white goo (with a hint of burning to it) coating the cap and the insides of the engine. After this I started checking around and looking for the root of it.
My father had suspected there was excess moisture in the block due to a plugged pcv valve. I popped it off and dang near got my finger sucked into it, valve is good on that end. I pulled the hose (one that goes to back side, dad said it was the air into the engine) off the intake hose and there was no pressure diff. I blew in the line and it seemed blocked .. and I got some nasty blow back, bad idea, don't try.
Some time has passed, 2 oil changes and the gunk is still there. That hose going to the back is now clear but goo will not leave. I'm hoping it isn't moisture or the block will start rusting likely.
During the winter I was only driving (city traffic) for 8 miles and the car just never warmed up. Now I moved and I get a nice 35 mile highway trip.
Any suggestions as to what this stuff is and how to get rid of it? I was thinking of attempting to spray the block from the inside with used oil during a change, but that may prove to be tricky.
Thanks
Markgase2000
03-13-2004, 01:29 PM
when you find white goo in the oil it usually means coolant is leaking into your oil a gasket leak on the inside would be a culprit unless you notice it on the outside as well , fix it imediately or your gonna toast your motor.
tibboneus
03-13-2004, 04:08 PM
Ok, thanks. Now how big of a job is this? I'll be honest, for having a mechanic as a father have no first hand knowledge about the size of jobs. Sure I can fix it no problem but I hate getting in over my head.
MoeD
03-13-2004, 08:03 PM
The 3.1 engines are famous for this problem. Most of the time it's the intake manifold gasket leaking. How fast is your coolant disappearing?
Markgase2000
03-14-2004, 04:19 AM
without labour around 200 bucks in parts (gaskets , thermostat ect...) labour will probs be 5 hours (60 dollars an hour here) or free if yer paps does it.
tibboneus
03-14-2004, 08:51 AM
The 3.1 engines are famous for this problem. Most of the time it's the intake manifold gasket leaking. How fast is your coolant disappearing?
See thats the thing, a while ago I notice I was leaking coolant on the ground, just a couple drops when it was warm. Then I put some Stop-Leak and it disappeared. My coolant level hasn't changed (noticably) in 2 months.
See thats the thing, a while ago I notice I was leaking coolant on the ground, just a couple drops when it was warm. Then I put some Stop-Leak and it disappeared. My coolant level hasn't changed (noticably) in 2 months.
C_Sephiroth
03-14-2004, 10:54 AM
If it was that cold out, and your coolant wasn't up to "snuff" than You might have cracked the block or maybe a head? I would have the cooling system Pressure checked. Is the Milky Goo on the Dip stick?
tibboneus
03-14-2004, 12:16 PM
-35C isn't that cold, nothing out of the ordinary. There is no residue on the dip stick and there was never anything odd about the oil when I change it. It is just around the openning of the cap and the sides of the block (what I can see).
Whatever it may be, I'm taking it up to the shop tommorrow and get an opinion on it. Its got enough other issues to warrent a good going over.
Whatever it may be, I'm taking it up to the shop tommorrow and get an opinion on it. Its got enough other issues to warrent a good going over.
Markgase2000
03-14-2004, 03:10 PM
They will do a pressure test to see if it leaks and take a sample of your oil to see if its contaminated.
Should only cost 20-30 dollars for that inspection.
As for cracked head , pray its not craked , that would end it all. We had -45 winter here and I seen alot of cracked heads from people buying premix antifreeze rated at -30.
Should only cost 20-30 dollars for that inspection.
As for cracked head , pray its not craked , that would end it all. We had -45 winter here and I seen alot of cracked heads from people buying premix antifreeze rated at -30.
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