bad thermostat?

[0260b4u]

So I was driving home from the shop and my car was fine, when I got home coolant started to pour out of the overflow. I let it cool down and took off the cap and their was very little coolant in there. My temp guage was fine while driving so Im thinking that their was no coolant in there for the sensor to pick it up. I just did a compression test and my results were 140 140 150 155. Could the thermostat be stuck open? My radiator cap is about a year old(13psi) and waterpump was done in the last 5000km.

 

[andymoraitis]

Start simple. Change the thermostat and also put on a fresh radiator cap. If she still pushes coolant, I'd suspect a head gasket.

Let us know what you find,

Andy

 

[98evoIIIpwr]

Also, you might want to try and flush the radiator or for that matter the whole cooling system. Sometimes you get debris which will clog it. Thats if the above mentioned dont seem to solve the issue.

 

[andymoraitis]

Also, you might want to try and flush the radiator or for that matter the whole cooling system. Sometimes you get debris which will clog it. Thats if the above mentioned dont seem to solve the issue.

Yup, good stuff and something to follow up with if the thermostat and rad cap doesn't fix it.

 

[0260b4u]

I will be putting in a new cap and thermostat first thing tomarow. Im really hoping its not my headgasket. How do the compression numbers look? Stock engine with 240,000km

 

[andymoraitis]

Compression is good for the mileage. You probably have more time before the compression numbers hit service limit and it needs a rebuild. Don't forget that if the headgasket is gone, it can sometimes skew the compression numbers (although not always).

Keep us in the loop eh?

Andy

 

[0260b4u]

SO I put in the new thermostat and cap and took it for a drive today. I had no coolant at all getting pushed out BUT im still losing coolant somewhere I think its headgasket time. Their is a little bit of white smoke coming out of the exhaust so I think coolant is getting pushed into the cylinders and burnig up.

 

[andymoraitis]

Unfortunately white smoke is a telltale sign that the headgasket's on it's way out. If you go easy on it, you'll be able to nurse it for a bit but you'll want to replace that as soon as you can. In the meantime, try to stay out of the boost so that you don't burn more coolant. You might also want to check the dipstick to see if the oil is milky which would indicate that the two are mixing. Either way, I wouldn't drive it much until you can get it taken care of.

Sorry it wasn't an easy fix but a headgasket really isn't that bad.

Good luck!

Andy

 

[95talon_in_ma]

That stinks but better to do it now before you have a serious overheating problem.

When you did the compression check did you take all of the spark plugs out at once or one at a time?
If you did them one at a time, sometimes the cylinder will build pressure because the side that still has the plug in and the valves may be in the closed position will not leak. Take all of the plugs out at once to eliminate that ppossibility.

Make sure to have the head checked for cracks while you have it out.

Actually with those kind of miles, you might want to do a complete rebuild while you have it all apart anyway....

good luck!

 

[0260b4u]

I checked the dipstick and I dont think their was any coolant mixed in. When I did the compression check all the spark plugs were out at the same time. So bascially I might just do the head gasket or buy a complete jdm engine. I dont have the time or money right now to do a full rebuild. Thanks for the help guys.