ok im just going to list my symptoms
engine is a b18b all stock

-over heated a couple of times due to fan failure

-didn't notice any significant loss in power or hesistation, RPM also doesnt fluctuate much at normal operating temp.

-engine used to use up some of the coolant from the reservoir

-we did a compression test and here are the results:
from L to R (first test)
180, 168, 150, 180

-we were astonished by the varied results so we tried it again:
186, 168, 162, 180

-Gas mileage is very bad getting only 200 miles to the tank (13.1 gal) i used to get at least 300 each tank

-light white smoke comes up when u mash on the throttle briefly

-air from exhaust isnt really hot at all, it's more cold than warm and sometimes water could be seen dripping from the tip even after the car has been driven for awhile

My conclusion is that the head gasket is blown, but help me diagnose this problem before i get this fixed. I want to make sure i'm fixing the right thing. Would a bad head gasket be the cause of my poor fuel mileage?



[Modified by RS94, 7:01 PM 2/1/2003]

 

Could be the headgasket. Look for coolant in your oil. Look for oil in your coolant. You can have your oil & coolant analyzed if its not obvious from looking at it. I've never had it happen to me, but I guess if coolant is leaking into your combustion chambers, the smell is pretty destinctive. Does your exhaust smell like antifreeze? Look at your spark plugs. If coolant is getting into # 2 & 3, those plugs will be unusually clean.

Water dripping from tailpipe is normal. But it shouldn't smell like antifreeze.

 

Probablly a blown head gasket, but as far as your gas problems are concerned, do plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel injector cleaner.

 

If there is no oil in your coolant and visa-vers check your Thermostat, I just change mine in my Del Sol, I had hardly any heat , and the car would never warm up, coincedentally I awas getting bad gas milage.

 

it wouldnt be the thermostat because hes loosing compression on cylinder 2 and 3. Its gotta be a blown headgasket.