Do I need an exorcist?

[skibum1111]

I have a 95 GT quad 4 235k miles on car, about 130k on motor, and its doing funny things. Sometimes it runs hot -- around 220 or so, and sometimes it runs normally, around 190 or so. Sometimes it skips, does not matter what the temperature is, and sometimes it leaks coolant. None of this happens on a day to day basis, sometimes its once a week it runs hot, and sometimes it leaks every third day. It skips when it wants to, plugs were replaced 2 days ago with bosch platinum 2x, they ran well in the car the last time around. Mechanic friend (ase master tech) says get an exorcist, the car is possessed... any thoughts? Does anyone know an auto exorcist?

[evansdad]

Does anyone know an auto exorcist?[/quote]

Don't know one.

[evansdad]

Just joking but anyway I have a 92 GA GT with a quad 4. I have the same problem with the leaking part. On mine its the top radiator hose. I can drive it for a week straight park it and come back out an hour later and there be a puddle of water under the car. The radiator hose just won't seal to the radiator. Skips???? I'm guessing you mean missing. I really don't know about that. Maybe the control module. Maybe cracked? Might wanna check there. I am also having problems with a miss on mine but it misses all the time.

[skibum1111]

I nuked the upper hose last week, when coolant was spraying all over the place it didn't skip at all, and right before it happened it was skipping really bad. I know its in the #1 cylinder, when i yanked the plug after it skipped a while, i could smell gas on it. we are following the same thoughts, possibly control module or bad coil

[evansdad]

Ok let us know how it goes.

[Ridenour]

If you smelled gas on the plug, that most likely means it's running too rich in that cylinder. You most likely have a clogged or dirty fuel injector(s). I would highly reccomend an injector / fuel system purge (can be done at a shop for 60 to 100$) - it's totally worth it, and there's a very good chance it may solve your skipping problem.

[justin0717]

it doesnt necisarily mean its running rich, if the plug isnt firing then theres gunna be gas on the plug for that reason. Id go with a bad coil/wire(well boot on the quad 4)/or a bad ignition module.

[skibum1111]

It did something new tonight, follows along with some of the issues its had for the past few weeks... Sitting at a light on the way home from work, suddenly stopped skipping and the temp shot up... way up.. around 240 or so, got it off the road shut it down radiator was hot fan was running. Let it cool down, didn't loose any coolant, oil is fine, ran great for the rest of the trip home. Went back out to go to the gym, skipped like hell for the first few minutes then ran fine, same thing on the way home. Coil pack or ignition module or both? and what caused the temp spike? any ideas?

[justin0717]

id say either coil or module is causing the skipping. as far as the weird temp, perhaps theres an air pocket in the cooling system, have a collant flush done and thatll get rid of any blockages and allow the mechanic to get all the air out ( if he/she does it right)

[evansdad]

About the temp shooting up, could the theromastat be going bad. Maybe closing and not opening again. Seems like it could happen.

[skibum1111]

Noticed a nice coolant smell in the exhaust when I started it after work today, no smoke tho, and the general thought between my mechanic and I is either cracked head near an exhaust port, or possibly the head gasket. I found a reman head for $250, so the thought is change both the head and the gasket, and while it is apart, timing chain, guides and tensioner. gotta take it all off anyway. Does anyone know if its going to be a single or double roller? The parts store asked me that, and the dealer parts department is closed until tuesday.....

[skibum1111]

here's an update: ran a bottle of bars leak in the cooling system, stopped the problem for the time being, hopefully it gets me to the end of the month when my parts will be in... still wondering single roller or double roller timing chain?

[Ridenour]

Double. 90% sure. Wait for Dan or Marc to come in here - they're the 2.4 guys.

[Forkliftguy]

Well I lost a whole page worth for a reply when I switched pages doing a bit of research, but here is my second go at responding.

This model year is prone to head gasket problems. I'm thinking that if the gasket is damaged in the right place, every time the engine fires you will get exhaust gases forced into the cooling system giving you air pockets which causes very irratic temp fluctuations. After so long the gasket will get worse and allow coolant into the engine especially on the intake stroke which would give you some funky coolant smell in the exhaust. Having a blown gasket will also cause the engine to idle irraticaly. I personally would suspect that you have a blown gasket. Check your ignition module for craks and damaged coils though first. One reason is because it is easier than pulling off the head, and second is because it gets very hot underneath the coil housing due to the fact that sits directly above the engine. If you do end up replacing the gasket use a graphite gasket and new bolts. HTH. If I can think of anything else I'll let you know.

Marc

[Forkliftguy]

Oh yeah, Ride's right. It's a double timing chain.