blow head gasket porsche 944

[madra]

what to do just blew the head gasket antifreeze in the engine lucky I caught it before I went blazing down the highway how long to leave this guck in the engine before changing it out cant get to it for a month. what a *****...
I'm wondering will this cause any permanent damage antifreeze inengine especially with the glycol in the antifreeze?

[krystar]

permanent damage? prob not. but i wouldn't put it off for too long. stuff might start oxidizing and create more clogs.

[Slam]

Punctuation you must use. Periods at ends of sentences you must have.

I'd drain the crankcase ASAP or the coolant will eat your bearings. Have you got time for some disassembly? It would be best not to put it off too long.

[Rasta Monsta]

Also, the oil cooler seals, it might be. Yes. . .

[madra]

Thanks I appreciate it. I Think I will drain the crankcase as ypu suggested its sitting in my driveway, but I guess its better to get that guck out of it. I didnt think about the bearings. hmm. do you think draing it should keep it untill I get to it in a month. The problem is I'm outa town for a bit ,its a pity to leave it like that but what can you do.
Thanks for the tip man i almost collapsed when I saw the white smoke coming out the tail pipe. iI must admit I had that grey gulk in my expansion tank (overflow tank) for a month I should habe known better. Ikept putting it off ..........it is what it is now....... as they say now.

[madra]

You think the oil cooler seals might have been the problem in the first place with the grey gulk in the expansion tank for the last month or so.
d i blow the head gasket becaause i was running it too hot/ all the 944's run a little hot the cooling guage is always running from the center line up runs thermostat opens back down i would say thats normal for a 944. not like your standard cars today that cooling guage line is right on center all the time its also electronic these days i guess.

[stogie25]

I just did my oil cooler seals. I had oil in my coolant, but not coolant in my oil. It would be possible for it to be the seals.

[89-944NA]

oil in coolant and coolant in oil, check the seals on your oil cooler. Do a compression test before you pull the head.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by madra

what to do just blew the head gasket antifreeze in the engine lucky I caught it before I went blazing down the highway how long to leave this guck in the engine before changing it out cant get to it for a month. what a *****...

I'm wondering will this cause any permanent damage antifreeze inengine especially with the glycol in the antifreeze?

If your first idea of blown head gasket is correct, and the rotted head gasket has let antifreeze pool on top of the piston.....this is not good for the cylinder wall or the rings. Especially if you have to wait a month or more to work on the car.

You can separate where the antifreeze is "in the engine".

A bad head gasket will allow antifreeze in and "Steam Clean"the spark plugs. You will also see white smoke fogging the street.
Take out plugs and check for a clean plug tip.

If you do not see steam cleaned plugs, you can follow the advice given, drain the oil and change the oil cooler seals.

Porsche wants you to replace the rod bearings if you have antifreeze in the oil. Antifreeze chews rod bearings.

Your head gasket may be good--for a while. Do a compression and leak down test to be certain.

GL
John

[madra]

Thanks a million guys for your help.
I won't be able to do the compression test until I get it to my buddies garage in a month.
I'm sure its the head as I blew white smoke out the exhaust PIPE........ head gasket rule No. 101........ I believe. But I must admit I had grey gulk in the overflow tank for a month. Now I know that was oil in my antifreeze what a dummy I was. might have being the cooler seal THEN?

Here is my plan of attack tell me what you think guys?
1, im going to drain the crankcase.
2. drain the coolant
3. replace crankcae plug and refilL crankcase with 4 litres of oil.
4. do put coolant back in in case in leaks back into engine.
5. run engine for a 1 minute to circulate oil and clean bearings of antifreeze.
6. possibly drain again or leave until i get back
7.what do you guys think of that?
8.anything to save my baby you guys know what I mean......HELP........

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by madra

Thanks a million guys for your help.
I won't be able to do the compression test until I get it to my buddies garage in a month.
I'm sure its the head as I blew white smoke out the exhaust PIPE........ head gasket rule No. 101........ I believe. But I must admit I had grey gulk in the overflow tank for a month. Now I know that was oil in my antifreeze what a dummy I was. might have being the cooler seal THEN?

YES

Here is my plan of attack tell me what you think guys?
1, im going to drain the crankcase.
OK, Then you can see if you have antifreeze in the oil. Stir it up.
If you do not see antifreeze in the oil, then you are lucky and it is just a rotted head gasket---more than likely--maybe..

2. drain the coolant
3. replace crankcae plug ??? Did you mean "replace the Mahle oil filter???? and refilL crankcase with 4 Holds 6 L with filter litres of oil.


4. do put coolant back in in case in leaks back into engine.
I think you forgot a word---not

5. run engine for a 1 minute to circulate oil and clean bearings of antifreeze.
Only if you see antifreeze in the oil. Not good without coolant for any length of time.

6. possibly drain again or leave until i get back

Again only if you saw antifreeze in oil. Otherwise keep the oil in.

7.what do you guys think of that?
8.anything to save my baby you guys know what I mean......HELP........

I added some thoughts.

Oil in coolant does not mean you have antifreeze in the oil.

You have 2 main problems. Head gasket and oil cooler seals.

When you do the head gasket, the exhaust manifold comes off and the oil cooler seals are real easy--a piece of cake- easy with hands that look like boxing mitts

You must get an OPRV alignment tool. MUST HAVE!

GL
John

[madra]

Thanks john for that reply

the problem is I DO HAVE antifreeze in my engine I checked my dip stick and its all thick gooey brown not clear oil defo antifreeze in my oil.

I MUST DO THE DRAINING FOR BOTH OIL AND ANTIFREEZE
but IWAS THINK ING OF RUNNING THE ENGINE WITHOUT ANTIFREEZE FOR A MINUTE TO CIRCULATE THE ENGINE WILL HEAT UP ENOUGH IN A MINUTE TO CAUSE ANY DAMAGE MAYBE I WILL RUN THE ENGINE FOR 30 SECONDS NEED TO CIRCULATE THAT OIL TO PURGE THE GUCK THATS UIN THERE
WHAT DO YOU THINK GUYS????????????

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR HELP DUDES................

[John_AZ]

Madra,

How long have you had your 1985 944?

Has a local mechanic put STP oil treatment in the crankcase?

STP has the appearance and feel of the "thick gooey brown" substance you have in the crankcase. Liquid honey.

Maybe someone tried to stop the antifreeze leak with a bottle of Bars Leak or Alumaseal?

You should also check the transaxle for the same fluid. Maybe someone put gear lube in the crankcase.

You should plan to rebuild your entire engine in a month--or when you get the time.

John

[madra]

Hi John,
I have the car a year its defo brown guck in the block it changed right after i blew the white smoke out the exhaust. anyway im going to take car of it thanks for all the help.
I'm thinking while I have the head off, I should look at the timing belt what is the recommended maintenance for the belt i believe it can be catastrautic if it goes while the car is in motion?
how often should i check it?
or for that matter how do you check it?
im getting a Haynes auto manual next week so i should have a better idea how its all oput together.

[John_AZ]

Good morning Madra

From old Mission Impossible shows-----

This message will self district in 10 seconds after the reader finishes.

I think the Haynes book is very good at changing the filter and oil. It also has some information on capacities and torque values.

The rest of the book is very basic in the amount of necessary information needed to do basic work on the 944. It gives you a thumbnail sketch on each problem.

You do have to go to Clark's Garage Home Page and read or print out Every word in the entire manual

Without this knowledge you will destroy your car.

You are correct, "I'm thinking while I have the head off, I should look at the timing belt what is the recommended maintenance for the belt i believe it can be catastrautic if it goes while the car is in motion?"

You have a month of time to read and memorize Clarks.

Another way to get someone to help you in person is to offer huge amounts of food and drink. Someone visually fascinating will also improve your chances of getting help----many members need stimulation.

Update your User CP (top of page on left) and edit the signature line. Put in your location and car info. Add an avatar. This will help forum members who want to help. If you have track background or professional experience we would like to know. Your location does not have to be specific, maybe like NW US or Vilnius (VIA) airport.

GL
John

[madra]

Hi John,

Thanks a million again for the tips on the clark's garage home page great insight ino the inner workings of the beast.
Getting back to running to purge antifreeze from engine im only going to run it for 30 seconds without coolant just to get oil circulating
The following is my understanding of the 944 cooling system....... The normally aspirated 944 cooling system operates bypassing the radiator until the coolant temperature reaches 83 deg C thats when the thermostat opens .
After the thermostat opens coolant is circulated through the radiator and back to the suction side of the water pump.
Now John you seem like a smart guy do you think for 30 seconds I would do damage to the block.
When thes guys were designing this engine they opted for a novel solution both pistons and block are fabricated from aluminum alloys selected for their identical thermal expansion rates.
what do you think maybe my theory is good but in practice is not so good?
love your comments guys delighted i found this group......... appreciate all your help.
regards
Madra

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by madra

Hi John,

Thanks a million again for the tips on the clark's garage home page great insight ino the inner workings of the beast.
Getting back to running to purge antifreeze from engine im only going to run it for 30 seconds without coolant just to get oil circulating
The following is my understanding of the 944 cooling system....... The normally aspirated 944 cooling system operates bypassing the radiator until the coolant temperature reaches 83 deg C thats when the thermostat opens .
After the thermostat opens coolant is circulated through the radiator and back to the suction side of the water pump.
Now John you seem like a smart guy do you think for 30 seconds I would do damage to the block.
When thes guys were designing this engine they opted for a novel solution both pistons and block are fabricated from aluminum alloys selected for their identical thermal expansion rates.
what do you think maybe my theory is good but in practice is not so good?
love your comments guys delighted i found this group......... appreciate all your help.
regards
Madra

Madra,

Freakin' amazing the improvement to your writing skills and knowledge of Porsche 944 engineering.

Not certain, maybe someone else can answer.

John

[madra]

Hi Guys,

First thing I did was a compression test two cylinders were good two were low so defo blown head gasket. now the fun starts.

Well I drained the oil and coolant as discussed.
Did not replace the coolant.
Put 4 litres of oil including 1 litre of engine flush and ran engine for 5 minutes serious white smoke out the tail pipe.
Shut her down and drained it again, remember all the time with no coolant., except for the coolant in the block, as i just drained the radiator.
Next day filled put another 5 liters in and ran engine in idle again for about a minute this time no smoke out the tail , shut her down and now must leave her for a month at least.
really appreciate all your input guys will keep you posted in the future.
and no John im not an wizz on 944's all im doing is reading you guys are the wizz kids your input has been invaluable to me sorry if i came across as somebody who has a clue about 944 im a novice at best
thanks again for all the help..........

[madra]

Hi Guys,

What should a compression test show for all four cylinders if all is good?

[John_AZ]

Hi madra,

IIRC, low at 145psi to 165psi.
More important is the 10% difference max between cylinders.

Important---remove the DME relay when doing a compressoin test to avoid spraying gas into the cylinder during the test

GL
John