1999 SC2- Fuel in water

[Bob Mayo]

My son drove his SC2 while it was overheating. It stalled once and he was able to restart it them he shut it down and parked it but it would not start again. I added about 3/4 of a gallon of water to the cooling system. After trying to start it several times I opened the cooling system cap and I smell gasoline in the water. Is this an indication of a blown head gasket? I have not checked the compression yet because its raining today. While cranking the engine it sounded like there was some trace of ignition going on. Thanks.

[Cat Fuzz]

Could be a blown head gasket or a cracked head if you added the water when it was still hot. Could also be a crack in the cylinder wall. I can't think of any other way for fuel to get into the cooling system circuit.

[Bob Mayo]

Thanks for the reply. The car would not start before I added the water. I added it about 15 minutes after it was shut off. Any general advice on how I troubleshoot this?

[Cat Fuzz]

I'd start with a compression check and then just pull the head. I'm sure there will be a story there.

[RC1488]

Ahhh!! Warped head is the most common results of over heating. If the needle is in the red, its almost guaranteed to warp it :/ Most DOHC will not crack, nor will the engine block see damage.

+1. Compression and leak down test are number one. 180 PSI is the service limit. Then finding out why it over heated is number two.

[Bob Mayo]

Update. The reason it overheated is because there is a leak in the water pump. I instructed my son to add water when the low fluid light came on
until I had time to change the water pump. He didn't.

I pulled the spark plugs and there is water in all 4 cylinders. I did a compression check and there is at least 100 psi in all cylinders but one had 150-175 pSI. Maybe the water in the cylinders made that difference.
I drained the oil and it appeared OK. There was some traces of water (streaks in the oil) but it may just have been due for an oil change. I took out about 4 quarts. Also one spark plug had oil on it.

Can anyone tell me if I can pull the head without removing the intake and exhaust manifolds? Should I have the head rebuilt. What would the job cost if I had it done?

Thanks.

Bob

[RC1488]

Well with 100 PSI in 3/4 cylinders, id say its new head gasket or new head time. Yes you can pull the head with the manifolds attached, and I suggest doing it like that.

Rockauto.com is where you can get new head gaskets. If you feel the gasket was the issue get the head check anyway at a shop. If they tell you that you need a new one then Clearwater.com is where many get new heads from. Its not worth dealing with the old head. By the time you get the bill it was cost just as much as getting a new one if not more.

While your in there, get a new timing chain kit. theimportexperts is where I got mine off ebay for $68 bucks. Worked great.

The price depends on what is bad. If its the gasket and the head is usable, then 150 bucks including the new chain and basic machine work on the head (at least a 3 angle valve job). If you go all out on the head then expect more. If the head is not usable...your looking at over 200 for a new head and other items. Both are not including labor.

Oh and dont forget to make your son help you work on it. Not a better way to learn a lesson than that!!

[Bob Mayo]

Thanks for the advice. You are right, my son needs to learn a lesson. I told him to watch out for the idiot light but he ignored it for 2 days.

I had one estimate of $1500 already without them seeing the car. One way or the other he is going to learn a lesson.

Bob

[RC1488]

Thats how I learned. I ran out of oil Totally my fault. I had to rebuilt the engine with some help from my father and pay for most of it. Ill never do that again!!

[Bob Mayo]

That is really the best way to learn, from your mistakes. I know I've made a few in my lifetime. Ouch!