I just purchased it for $500 (please don't ask me why I did not pull the dipstick), sure enough there is coolant in the oil pan (quite a lot), but it runs out very well. I am getting ready to try two bottles of Mendtite, after changing the oil (not filter) with cheap oil (maybe straight weight). If this works, and there is only enough coolant in the oil pan to cause a little sludge, and I change the oil about every 500 miles, what are my chances of getting one to two season out of the rig, provided I drive it easy, and by season I mean about 2500 to 5000 miles - mostly 65 mph two lane rural highway driving. The gal honestly did not know this problem was happening, but said the last oil change was about 2000 miles ago. I just want to know if I have a chance of some light duty use without engine knocking, or if it appears inevitable. Thanks.
2007-11-30 13:12:24 · 7 answers · asked by oatie 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I'd try to find where the coolant is leaking. If it's a bad gasket the stop leak isn't going to do you any good. If it's a cracked head or intake then MAYBE it'll do it but don't bet on miracles. Gaskets are a pretty easy fix and not that hard to track down. Easiest to check is for a blown head gasket. A cylinder by cylinder compression test with all the spark plugs out should show if one or more cylinders is significantly lower than the rest which would indicate a bad head gasket. An intake gasket leaking will usually cause vacuum fluctuations and can be readily seen on a vacuum gauge. Check the bolt tightness on the timing cover if that's causing the bolts will usually be loose and, sometimes, tightening them back down will work. The problem with leaks is, if you try to patch them, they'll blast loose at the most inconvenient time and really put you in the deep do do.
2007-11-30 13:29:42 · answer #1 · answered by mustanger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sadly this is a risk... bottom line, noone will know except the engine, and it wont talk! I have seen an engine let go the day after it overheated and lost the head gasket... I have also had a bad head gasket last a year with 1k oil changes... its a crapshoot sadly. Unfortunately, 65mph in your 79 Suburban is not really considered easy on the engine, so you will be running the risk of failure... and perhaps a serious accident if the failure sprays enough oil and coolant to cause a skid and perhaps your life..... in other words, I would not suggest using the vehicle until you get it fixed. Good luck.
2007-11-30 13:23:31 · answer #2 · answered by Unforgiven Shadow 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You must change the filter very often as water causes the paper in the filter to swell and therfore block up and this will destroy your engine even quicker. Don't use cheap oil, buy some detergent free oil and this will significantly slow down the sludge build up.
If you DON'T have oil getting into in the cooling system then you could also try a lower pressure radiator cap, this will stop water blowing into the engine when you turn the motor off (but be warned, you do reduce the efficiancy of the cooling system by doing this).
2007-11-30 14:01:51 · answer #3 · answered by oldersox 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Long term oil/coolant contamination is eventually going to waste the bearings in the bottom end of that Chevy. This leads to loss of oil pressure and susequently bearing damage. More than likely it's a gasket (intake or cylinder head) issue. If you have it fixed at a repair shop expect to pay standard rate plus some additional shop time due to the age of the vehicle. Probably rusted to all get out.
2007-12-01 01:51:19 · answer #4 · answered by jeff n 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it is not misfiring or showing signs of a head gasket by pumping white smoke out the exhaust, the chances are good it's just your intake gasket blown dumping coolant into the valley between the cylinder banks. Check the 4 corners of the intake, If they show any signs of leaking to the outside, chances are good they are leaking to the inside. It's a pretty easy manifold to R & R
2007-11-30 13:41:56 · answer #5 · answered by Jeff B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you have a blown head gasket, this is major engine work, it would cost you more to fix it than what you paid for it, it's only going to get worse, until it ceases up, then you will need a new engine.
2007-11-30 13:34:40 · answer #6 · answered by shefixescars 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it is blowing white smoke out of the exhaust you have a blown head gasket if not a water jacket might be cracked
2007-11-30 13:31:18 · answer #7 · answered by carcraft_man 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋