Hey all, awhile back I heard a loud cracking/snapping sound come from the engine bay while driving at a moderate.mild pace. Since then, many troubles have ensued. B16A in a '91 DX.

First off the car would bog around turns, as if something was leaking into the cylinder and preventing the spark plug from firing. I found this yellow/greenish crap on one of the spark plugs, and when I cleaned it off the car would run much smoother, but still bog around turns. Plus I could smell burning anti-feeze, that sweet (re:horrible) smell in the air.

About 2 weeks later I noticed a puddle of anit-freeze on my driveway. I haven't noticed that happening again since, but nevertheless there it was.

Then today I take the car out and it starts overheating, I notice white smoke coming from the engine bay, and of course it is still bogging around turns. Oddly enough, it seemed kinda random the way it would overheat. Like, it would be overheating, then after only 2 minutes of being turned off, it would run fine for a few miles then start overheating again. I checked the anti-freeze level and it's below the Max Level by only maybe a centiemeter. There's still plenty there.

Throughout all this the car has not been driven much. It sits in my driveway all week and I only drive it maybe 5miles each weekend. This whole time I had been lying to myself that once I fixed the throttle cable it would stop bogging around turns...

I'm taking it to a mechanic today, needless-to-say, but some opinions/ideas as to what it might probably be would help so that I have an informed opinion when I drop it off.

Joe

 

Sounds like a blown head-gasket
Edit: where is the coolent coming from?

 

I would think more along the lines of a hole in the radiator, or bad hose somewhere. That wouldnt have anything to do with the bogging i dont think, but if it was a blwon head gasket smoke would be pouring outta the exhaust...

 

It could be that his head gasket is blown..and the coolant is evaporating before it gets to his cat.....if he had a leak, he would be bone dry.....but he said it is just a mm off the full mark. I dunno, gotta see it and them make decision what it is. Sorry

 

Yeah I hear you on that, it's hard to judge until you see it in person. But I appreciate the input nevertheless.

What are the chances the head is cracked? I mean, that loud sound I heard 3 weeks ago was what started all this mess, the car ran beautifully before that...

Assuminig it is cracked, where can I find another B16a head?

 

bad valve seal or a blown headgasket

 

you definetly have a blown head gasket! Take my word for it.

 

Well you did have a blown head gasket, but now because you were driving it with those conditions, it may be worse. DO NOT TURN THE MOTOR ON AGAIN. It is possible that you have warped the head by now. I sugest replacing the head gasket, and while the head is off, tale it somewhere to get it checked out.

 

Listen to the man up there ^ he knows what he is talking about. DONT DRIVE IT!!! Till its fixed!!!