[s-cars] Now Blown head gasket - was : stumble and smoke at idle

[Peter Schulz]

James:

before you start tearing apart your motor, see if your exhaust smells like coolant.

I would start by looking at the usual suspects, the coolant reservoir, all hose connections, the thermostat T, the elbow on the back of the head, the heater valve, etc.


-Peter


On Dec 14, 2009, at 11:34 PM, james McCarthy wrote:

> Thanks - so haven't checked compression yet but... Stumble Stumble Stumble for 10-15 seconds on start up (clears in 10-15 seconds) with copious smoky exhaust that clears after 10-15 minutes of driving with a 1 inch drop in coolant in 48 hours (total of 15 miles driven) - seems like it must be the head gasket??? otherwise I have both fleas and ticks....  BUt will hunt for other loss potentials...
> -jamie
> 
> --- On Mon, 12/14/09, Robert Myers <bob at chips-ur-s.com> wrote:
> 
>> From: Robert Myers <bob at chips-ur-s.com>
>> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Now Blown head gasket - was : stumble and smoke  at idle
>> To: "james McCarthy" <jjssmccarthy at yahoo.com>
>> Date: Monday, December 14, 2009, 10:13 PM
>> *This message was transferred with a
>> trial version of CommuniGate(r) Pro*
>> 
>> Jamie,
>> 
>> There are many ways for coolant to be lost.  Only a
>> few of them go with a blown head gasket.
>> 
>> Other than loss of coolant do you have any other symptoms
>> suggesting a blown head gasket?  Is there evidence of
>> coolant in the oil pan?  Have you checked compression
>> for all cylinders?  Any of them down
>> significantly?  Any evidence of engine gases backing up
>> through the coolant reservoir?
>> 
>> Bob
>> 
>> At 10:52 PM 12/14/2009, you wrote:
>>> *This message was transferred with a trial version of
>> CommuniGate(r) Pro*
>>> So while pulling the injectors this evening to check
>> for leaks noticed the coolant had dropped 1 inch from
>> yesterday... so I geuss head gasket it is.  Crap.
>>> 
>>> So what else to do while I'm there... just did the
>> t-belt and h20 pump a year ago... but crazy not to just do
>> them again I guess.  ARP studs, metal gasket...
>> anything else?
>>> thanks
>>> -jamie
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 11:54 AM, james McCarthy
>> <jjssmccarthy at yahoo.com>wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Ok,
>>>> New problem. 2 days ago my s6 (full OEM RS2 bits)
>> developed a stumble on
>>>> initial start up - but cleared within the first
>> 10 seconds or so of driving.
>>>>   This was associated with thick exhaust.
>> Considered ignition
>>>> (coil/pos/plugs) or leaking injector.  So
>> replaced the plugs (new bosch
>>>> F5DPOR) and the stumble seemed to be gone...
>>>> However this am the stumble was back on initial
>> start up only - not as
>>>> severe and lasted just 2-3 seconds... but now I
>> have "heavy" exhaust at idle
>>>> even after driving for 10-15 minutes.  No
>> puffs with hard acceleration just
>>>> at idle... car seems to be running perfectly
>> otherwise pulls strong to
>>>> redline with full boost and no stumbles...
>>>> So where to start - I doubt coil/pos (5 new oem
>> 20K ago)  as I would expect
>>>> the stumble to persist.  So I'm thinking PCV
>> system as I can't figure why a
>>>> leaking injector would result in continued thick
>> idle. Also while turbo
>>>> seals or valve seals are possible - I can't
>> figure how they would cause the
>>>> initial rough idle.
>>>> So plan is to clean out the PVC system (also
>> installing a catch can) and
>>>> also see if I can determine if an injector is
>> leaking.  Any thoughts or
>>>> advice would be appreciated.
>>>> tia
>>>> -jamie
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> S-CAR-List mailing list
>>> http://audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
>>> http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> S-CAR-List mailing list
> http://audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
> http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information



-Peter Schulz
Chelmsford Ma, USA
http://www.naaclub.org/

1995.5 S6 Avant Emerald/Ecru
1995.5 S6 Avant Silver/Platinum
1991 90Q 20v Q Red
1991 90Q 20v Indigo
1991 CQ silver  (eS2 recipient)