Log in

View Full Version : could it be the head gasket?


civilized_drifter
06-05-2008, 02:55 AM
i was driving home today and i went to give it some gas after i shifted into 4th and i had no power all of the sudden. i down shifted and gave it gas again and i tottaly lost all power and it stalled out. my friend was there with me and he checked the oil and he said that the oil is really thin as if coolant was mixed in it. i checked the spark plugs and they smelled like burnt coolent and oil and the tips were whitish brown. it started and idled until i give it a little gas and it dies. i got the car towed home and i checked the cylenders and i didnt see any coolent in there. when i wake up im gonna drain the coolent and see if there is oil mixed in there, the same with the oil.

could it be my head gasket? or is there something else that could be the problem? cause i have a spare rebuilt head and a head gasket for my spare ka and i dont wanna tear into this one if i dont have to.

downshift_sideways
06-05-2008, 03:06 AM
By what you described...it does not sound like a headgasket problem.
Does your friend know anything about cars? or yourself?

How was your coolant? low? Check your oil cap, sludgy at all?

Might wanna double check and do a compression test to see how each cylinder(s) are holding up for security.

sliddinsil8o
06-05-2008, 04:42 AM
Same problem I had with the exception of thin oil and coolent issue...lost power going up a hill, down shifted to 3rd, no power...car died and I forced it to turn back on due to the fact that I was traveling at 50mph. But once it was at a complete stop it never turned back on. Point of this is that it ended up being a faulty injector...might want to look in that direction

infinitexsound
06-05-2008, 04:52 AM
leak down test.... first... make sure... then start from there.....

civilized_drifter
06-05-2008, 12:17 PM
Does your friend know anything about cars? or yourself?

How was your coolant? low? Check your oil cap, sludgy at all?

Might wanna double check and do a compression test to see how each cylinder(s) are holding up for security.

he has a fully built ka and yes he does. im gonna do a leakdown test and check the injectors

sr20det drift
06-05-2008, 09:07 PM
i say do a compression test, and after you see your numbers, go on and test injectors, then test spark

RedtopTech
06-05-2008, 09:33 PM
Another simple test that can pinpoint a problem cylinder is the balance test. attempt to hold around 2500rpm and unplug 1 injector at a time. each cylinder should drop the same amount of rpm when fuel is cut. If not than the cylinder with the least amount of change shows a weak cylinder for one reason or another.

s13_maJiK
06-06-2008, 02:42 AM
your oil wouldn't be thin and if there was coolant in it it would be milky

usajdm
06-06-2008, 03:17 AM
+1 on compression test and injectors.
Not the head gasket.

civilized_drifter
06-06-2008, 07:46 AM
Another simple test that can pinpoint a problem cylinder is the balance test. attempt to hold around 2500rpm and unplug 1 injector at a time. each cylinder should drop the same amount of rpm when fuel is cut. If not than the cylinder with the least amount of change shows a weak cylinder for one reason or another.
i would do that but my car dosent run. everytime i get it to start i give it gas it dies. last night i found my problem, the fuel pump isnt priming. when i get off work im gonna check to see if it is pumping

HS13KLS
06-06-2008, 07:46 AM
DUDE
i had the same problem..like 2 weeks ago..i thought i blew mine...execpt i was on the highway when i did it.
luckily it didnt stall there.anyways. i look off the valve cover and checked my valve train nothing was broken, and i dont think any rods or anything were hurt because im sure i would feel a sudden loss in power..i changed the oil...maybe 4-5 times with in 3 days.. and i checked the oil and it was perfect again, because mine was MILKY..looked like..well milk ha..
but if you need a headgasket i have a cometic one :)