Head gasket questions
#1
11-12-2012, 06:27 PM
Head gasket questions
Pretty sure the car just blew one or both head gaskets. Noticed the last time I was driving that there was some smoke or steam coming out of the exhaust. Didn't pay it any mind because of the temp changes here. Just drove it to the gas station and its blowing smoke everywhere. Got it home and checked the oil cap and it's this nasty milky color.
Which brings me to my questions.. What do you guys think my best bet is here? I have no idea how many miles are on the motor, all I know is it's not original, but it's no where near new. Do the heads have to be checked? Can I just slap new gaskets on it? Sort of lost here.
It's a 97 Lt1 Trans Am 6 speed.
Which brings me to my questions.. What do you guys think my best bet is here? I have no idea how many miles are on the motor, all I know is it's not original, but it's no where near new. Do the heads have to be checked? Can I just slap new gaskets on it? Sort of lost here.
It's a 97 Lt1 Trans Am 6 speed.
#2
11-12-2012, 06:48 PM
If it didn't overheat, you should be fine with new gaskets. Change/flush the oil/coolant too of course.
You probably have "some" bearing wear from the coolant in the oil, but if you didn't drive it too far or too hard, it might be OK.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
You probably have "some" bearing wear from the coolant in the oil, but if you didn't drive it too far or too hard, it might be OK.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
#4
11-12-2012, 09:06 PM
first thing is drain that oil out RIGHT NOW... like stop reading this and go drain your oil.
ok now that thats done you can start tearing down the engine, make sure you send the heads to a machine shop to be cleaned and checked for warp/cracks. also might be a good idea to have the valves done since there off the car, or upgrade to some LE heads.
ok now that thats done you can start tearing down the engine, make sure you send the heads to a machine shop to be cleaned and checked for warp/cracks. also might be a good idea to have the valves done since there off the car, or upgrade to some LE heads.
#5
11-12-2012, 09:37 PM
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: The 'Burbs of Chicago
Posts: 18,306
Any time you take the heads off because of a gasket issue, you should take them to a machine shop to get checked out.
Sometimes heads can warp (especially aluminum ones) and cause the gasket leak, not necessarily the other way around.
Sometimes heads can warp (especially aluminum ones) and cause the gasket leak, not necessarily the other way around.
#7
11-13-2012, 07:00 AM
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tokeland, Washington
Posts: 21,640
so the oil looks ok? antifreeze in the oil will ruin the bearings in short order. depending on the shop and what is being done i would say 100 to 1300 bucks. p&p by elliottsportworks being the 1300
#8
11-13-2012, 07:37 AM
Last edited by Gorn; 11-13-2012 at 03:12 PM.
#9
11-13-2012, 08:25 AM
The oil looks like a nasty milkshake.
If it was driven that way I would start looking for a motor. You can try the headgaskets but there is a good chance you will have a bearing knock within the week after you spent all the work/money on the gasket repairs. In fact I have refused to do headgaskets on motors like this. No matter how much you explain to a customer about the risks 2 weeks after spend $800, when you tell them they need a new engine they are really pissed at you.
If it was driven that way I would start looking for a motor. You can try the headgaskets but there is a good chance you will have a bearing knock within the week after you spent all the work/money on the gasket repairs. In fact I have refused to do headgaskets on motors like this. No matter how much you explain to a customer about the risks 2 weeks after spend $800, when you tell them they need a new engine they are really pissed at you.
