Bad Engine Possibly

[Angels_Aurora]

I just recently bought a 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora. The day I got the car, the in dash computer was showing (change oil now). I drove the car constantly for about 4 hours, here and there. Then the computer displayed (low engine coolant). So my friend went in and bought the green prestone coolant. After he added it, we went to get the oil changed. They only added 5 quarts. Within 20 minutes of leaving the shop, the car overheated and I had to turn it off. After letting it cool, I was able to drive it a short distance to my house. Since then I have learned that you are only to add the orange dex-cool coolant. I have flushed the system, replaced the thermostat, changed the water pump. However the car still overheats within 15 minutes of starting it. When it gets hot it blows all of the coolant out the overflow cap. I was told that is sounded like a bad or cracked head gasket. When I called the dealer they told me that Auroras do not have head gaskets go bad, and that I need a brand new engine. Has anyone else had this problem or does anyone have any suggestions. Also I found a product on the web called thermaweld, it is supposed to fix this type of problem for $300.00. Has anyone tried this. Or do you think that it is a bad idea.

[kev's 96 Aurora]

I believe cracked heads will either make your car have white cloudy smoke and/or when you take the oil cap off and smell in the fill hole it will have a burnt smell. Also when you drain the oil you might see antifreeze in the oil or it will be really runny(watered down).

[HARDTIMER]

also you will see in other threads that you are WAY low on oil. Standard for the auroras is 7.5 quarts. When I had my oil changed the guy actually put in 9 quarts. Doubt if this is causing the overheating, just wanted to let you know.

[Angels_Aurora]

Thanks for the ideas. I have checked the oil and there is no water or coolant in it. I have added the extra quarts of oil to top it off. Also there is no white smoke coming from the exhaust. However it is burning to rich in the gas department. The exhaust tubes are caked with gasoline residue, and sometimes there is black smoke.

[HARDTIMER]

dealer diagnostic?

[Angels_Aurora]

I have had a diagnostic check done, and it only shows that the service engine light came on due to the overheating. It also shows that I have low fuel pressure, which I have heard means I need a new fuel pump. It hasn't registered anything else.

[97 silverbullet]

well if you need to replace your engine I'll take your bad engine.

[Angels_Aurora]

After visiting the dealer and being told that there was no other possibility for my overheating problems other than a bad engine. I let my Grandpa tinker with the car. After playing around for a week, he realized that the metal piece that is attached to the insided of the pressurized cap at the coolant tank was missing. He went to the junk yard and for $5.00 he bought a used cap. Guess what it fixed the problem. No more overheating. However last night after driving the car, I noticed the strong smell of fuel. My boyfriend thinks that I have a leak in the fuel rail. So now the car is parked again. Has this happened to anyone else?

[RoraStar96]

there is a recall on the broken fuel lines...get it in for repairs ASAP, dont mess with fuel, its really dangerous O.O

Smell fuel, dont mess around, get it FIXED ASAP!

[dougsoval]

I just got a '98 with a reported blown head gasket. A post above said "dealer says head gaskets don't go bad..." My car runs well, has some water/white steam/smoke out of the exhausts. I have replacement engine but would love to avoid the work.