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Could it be the head gasket?

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NYCRedlineTalon

NYCRedlineTalon

15+ Year Contributor
116
1
Feb 4, 2008
Baltimore, Maryland
Hi I have a 1996 Eagle Talon Esi non/t and ummmm it looks like the smoke it coming from the exhaust manifold. yes there is a heat shield. it white i guess it coming from between the block and exhaust manifold and it smells like something sweet like syrup. on my heat shield there are little puddles of anti freeze. BUT there is a ton of smoke so i dont think thats the problem. Can you help? :confused:
:talon:
 
Hi I have a 1996 Eagle Talon Esi non/t and ummmm it looks like the smoke it coming from the exhaust manifold. yes there is a heat shield. it white i guess it coming from between the block and exhaust manifold and it smells like something sweet like syrup. on my heat shield there are little puddles of anti freeze. BUT there is a ton of smoke so i dont think thats the problem. Can you help? Could it be the head gasket? I want to be sure before i spend hundreds off dollars.:nono:
:talon:
 
Well, wipe off the wet stuff you see and then start the car. If its leaking between the head and the block then its HG. As it seems you already know, burning coolant smells like syrup.

Check to make sure your radiator cap isn't leaking, make sure your overflow reservoir isn't leaking, make sure the upper radiator hose isn't leaking. Basically if you wipe these items dry then start the car and they become wet then they have to be leaking.

Now if the HG is blown internally check to see if your oil is milky or if there is a white gunk on the underside of your oil cap. Presence of white gunk doesn't necessarily mean its blown it could also be from condensation in the engine (happens a lot in the cold winters), but if there is a lot of it you should check the oil further. Milky oil is a dead give away. Also white smoke from the tailpipe is a sign too. Don't confuse white smoke with steam from it being cold outside.

There is a lot of smoke from the header because you probably need a new gasket there or there is a hole in the header. If you feel like talking off the heat shield to check it out you will get a better idea.


Let us know what you find
 
Check the heater line that runs out of the thermostat housing along the top of the exhaust manifold, both the rubber and the metal portions.
 
This is an easy diagnosis...

You MOST LIKELY have a blown headgasket. It is also possible that the head is cracked. In either situation the head will need to be removed and checked.

If you change the gasket yourself it will cost you much less than one hundred dollars... you should also have your head resurfaced at a machine shop ($10-$20)

Having someone else do it WILL cost you around $300... just make sure they check the head thoroughly and have it machined if necessary

this smily's sweet--> :beatentodeath:
 
NYCRedlineTalon said:
okay i'll try to take the manifold off but thats going to be hard.
Click to expand...

Don't need to take off the manifold.... Just remove the heat shield on top of the mainfold, and then wipe everything down like it has already been suggested.

Might get lucky and it only be a heater hose that Locke suggested. Its really close to your head and could possible fool you into thinking its a HG.

Hey, you can always hope for the best. Just get it wiped down.

Also, side note. Auto zone sells a PSI checker that hooks onto the radiator where the cap goes. Looks like a air pump for pumping up basketballs and such.

You can use this tool to pump up your system w/o having to run the motor for a coolant leak test. You can pick it up fro about 20.00 bucks. :dsm:
 
Hi I have a 1996 Eagle Talon Esi non/t and ummmm it looks like the smoke it coming from the exhaust manifold. yes there is a heat shield. its white smoke coming from between the block and exhaust manifold and it smells like something sweet like syrup. on my heat shield there are little puddles of anti freeze. BUT there is a ton of smoke so i dont think thats the problem. I pretty much know its the Head Gasket.:cry:

What should I Do:

Get a new engine- 420a or 4G63?

Buy Head Gasket set? What Brand? How much?

or Get a new car (Not a option just wanted to add this one :D )

:talon:
 
If you have tons of money you can do the 4G63T swap, but its definitly not a bolt on affair. Throw a turbo kit on the 420a after you fix the headgasket.
 
I have a lot of smoke coming from the engine and i think its coming from my down pipe, it smells like burning coolant. I thought it was the head gasket but i took my shield off and found that i have a leak coming from somewhere, i don't know:cry:, but i think its dripping on my down pipe causing smoke. Can any one help:talon:. I have a video posted here --------------------------------->


<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aRajvMgAaeo&rel=1&border=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aRajvMgAaeo&rel=1&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
 
I have a lot of smoke coming from the engine and i think its coming from my down pipe, it smells like burning coolant. I thought it was the head gasket but i took my shield off and found that i have a leak coming from somewhere, i don't know, but i think its dripping on my down pipe causing smoke. Can any one help. I have a video posted here --------------------------------->
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aRajvMgAaeo&rel=1&border=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aRajvMgAaeo&rel=1&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
 
video file is huge. Currently downloading, will try to make it smaller for you and then put on youtube so people can view it much easier. I'll post back with a youtube link once its uploaded.
 
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