North American Turbocoupe Organization



head gasket?
turbocoupe88 Offline
Senior Member
#1
my 88turbo coupe has been sitting for about two weeks and tonight i took it for about a 10 min. ride and when i cam home there was smoke coming from under the hood from the passenger side. It seemed to be coming off the manifold and the valve cover does seem to be leaking so i think that is the cause but could it be a head gasket? Its only smoking from the pass. side. It ran good(except for the jumping idle) so is there any other way to tell if it was the head gasket? thanks for any help
1985.5 Turbocoupe
Previous- 1988 Turbocoupe
http://www.geocities.com/boosted4d/1985Turbocoupe.html
Reply

Pete D Offline
Administrator
#2
Head gaskets can blow in different ways, so they don't always give off the same symptoms or respond to the same tests in the same way.
Look for oil in the coolant, and or bubbling in the coolant (at operating temp) Look for coolant in the oil. Do a compression test on all cylinders. If one or two cylinders are signaificantly lower than the others, it could be a blown gasket.

------------------
NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm
Pete Dunham


Reply

turbocoupe88 Offline
Senior Member
#3
Well i drained the oil and no coolant or metal flakes. There is several spots of oil i found on the manifold so i think it may have been steam from that i hope. One quick question though, would the smoke have to come from both sides of the engine for a blown head gasket? thanks
1985.5 Turbocoupe
Previous- 1988 Turbocoupe
http://www.geocities.com/boosted4d/1985Turbocoupe.html
Reply

Pete D Offline
Administrator
#4
Like I said, head gaskets can blow in different ways. No, smoke would not have to come from both sides of the engine for the gasket to be blown. For example, if it blew between two cylinder, there may be no external leak and no smoke under the hood. However if you suspect the valve cover gasket, check that first before planning a head pulling party.

------------------
NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

[This message has been edited by Pete D (edited 08-29-2002).]
Pete Dunham


Reply

SteveX82 Offline
Posting Freak
#5
Check both the rubber and metal coolant lines for any cracks, splits, or slight pinhole leaks. I've had about 1/2 of my coolant lines develop a leak at one time or another, thereby sending plumes of white smoke billowing from my engine bay as the coolant dripped/sprayed on a hot surface such as the exhaust manifold or turbo. If possible, take a peak under the hood while the engine is running during the daytime and try to pinpoint exactly where the coolant is leaking from. If it is indeed a blown head gasket, I'd expect at least a tad bit of coolant to find it's way into the combustion chambers and out your exhaust in the form of more white smoke. Good luck.
Estoril blue 1987 TC 5spd, 148k mi, a237, Bailey BOV, spec stg3 clutch, spearco FMIC, 50 trim t3/t4, 3" exhaust, Bamafuel, LM1, 55pph
Best 1/4 mile: 12.31 @ 110mph on 25psi
Reply

TCoupeKristen Offline
Member
#6
I recently had similiar problems with my 87. White smoke appeared to be coming from the driver's side, small oil leaks in the driveway. The valve pan gasket was nearly nonexistent (previous owner[s] abuse-sat without running for 1+yr). So I figured while I'm replacing that, I might as well do the head gasket too. The "every gasket above the head" kit was only $40, and although my car didn't show signs of head gasket failure, it soon would have. Anyways, while I was at it, cleaned all my intakes, replaced hoses/clamps, new gaskets, and am finally rewarded with a *functional* automobile. Increased gas mileage too. It's not an incredibly hard job to do, with the help of a manual, proper tools, and maybe a friend. I'm female, and I did it. Saves $$$ too. Good luck.
87 TC "Steven"
Current mods: 4-core radiator, 180 thermostat, K&N air assembly, manual fan controls, summertime 17' Centerline rims
Status: under re-construction

87 TC "Stephanie"
all factory options!
Status: runs well but only goes forwards...
Reply

turbocoupe88 Offline
Senior Member
#7
thanks for all the advice, i'm gonna take a closer look at it this weekend and i'll let yous know what i find.
Where in Pa are ya from, i'm right by philly.
1985.5 Turbocoupe
Previous- 1988 Turbocoupe
http://www.geocities.com/boosted4d/1985Turbocoupe.html
Reply

Alfredo Cruz Offline
Junior Member
#8
hey why don't you try a cylinder leakdown test, if you have the tools and a compressor, pump air in the cylinder and see if it bubles in the radiator, then you know it is headgasket, cracked head or block. headgasket is most common though. I fix cars but i am in Michigan.
Reply

turbocoupe88 Offline
Senior Member
#9
Well upon closer inspection i found every valve cover bolt LOOSE! Not even hand tightened, i'm suprised the oil wasnt pouring out of there. The timing was also off by 10* as well.
1985.5 Turbocoupe
Previous- 1988 Turbocoupe
http://www.geocities.com/boosted4d/1985Turbocoupe.html
Reply





Users browsing this thread:
1 Guest(s)



Theme © iAndrew 2018 - Software MyBB