I think its the head gasket
 

Hey guys, been awhile since I posted. I was chasing a couple of buddys yesterday in my 86 951-126,000 miles with 2nd head gasket. This one has been around 60k miles. Anyways I was doing pretty good considering they were driving a Ferrari 355 Berlinetta F1 and a 911 C4S. I didnt notice anything until we stopped and I went to start her up and it ran real rough and sounded weird. I then noticed the white smoke from the exhaust. After a minute it cleaned up and still smoked. I then checked my coolant level and it had dropped substantially.

I am preety sure this is a blown head gasket right?

Anything besides timing belt etc. I should replace while having this done?

Any way to make the gasket more bullett proof?

Wide fire gasket?

Anything else I should consider when the head is off to boost performance?

Thanks you guys!
Watercooled rules!
Brock
:cool:

How much boost are you running?

certainly sounds like it. go ahead and check the oil for that milkshake stuff if you haven't yet.

Also, doesn't coolant in the oil screw with the rod bearings? I'd watch for that too.

edit: might be oil cooler seals.

if it was indeed steam coming from your exhaust pipe (if it was hot.. smoke isn't hot) then 10 to 1 it's the headgasket.

if it blew after 60k, I'd find out if there was anything else wrong with the engine.. or coolant lines...

Thanks guys for the info so far. I have the stock set up except a Weltmeister shim and chip along with a boost enhancer. I basically lost all my coolant on the drive home.

No oil mixing yet. I plan to take it over to Tulsa on a trailer for the work.

Any ideas on what to think about while having the head off? (see previos questions)

Thanks guys!
Brock

PS the first head gasket was just a replacement for some reason.....no indication on the paperwork that it was bad.....weird.

what else was done 'on the paperwork' at that time? any other known engine troubles?

oil cooler seals... re seal the front end... how old is your water pump?

Pretty sure it's a head gasket. Compression test will confirm. It sounds like you have everything covered. By the way, nice area of the country you live in. Which hwy were you flying down? :) As you can guess, I spent many years in that area too.

Hey Razor, old hwy 71 between Fayetteville and Fort Smith! Was fun!
Thanks for the input!

Normal maintenance on paperwork. Very well cared for. I just replaced my radiator and inspected all lines and oil cooler ....only a mild seep on lines.

Yeah, I was guessing that was the hwy. Been there done that, but not with a 944. I think I'll be taking mine up there when I get it done though. Really cool roads in NW Arkansas and SW Missouri. Hwy 7 is a little further over in the state but also a really fun road. I did take my other 944 on that one. If you haven't, you should. Really fun corners...just don't make a mistake...it's a really long fall! NO, I didn't fall off. :) I know I can't turn corners so I was taking it slow. Good luck on getting your car fixed. I'll be up that way soon, my son is stationed in Ft. Smith, so I still come up often....maybe we can meet up in Fayetteville with a couple other Pelicans I know from that area.

lets meet up!
 

Yes I have driven hwy 7! Basically a road race with a beautiful view!

E mail me @ brock@dluxlink.com when you head this way!

Take care & I will keep you posted on the car

Brock

I will. There is also a few roads up around Branson that as soon as you get out of one corner, you start another...another fun afternoon....unless you have a weak stomach....ie don't take your girlfriend with ya!

Brock, I just noticed this morning that you are in Fayetteville, I am in Bentonville, and am one of the guys that Tom mentioned above. I am in Utah visiting family, but would like to hook up when I get back. (or with anyone in the SLC/Provo area while I am here)

Dana

Hey Dana,

Yeah, you are the first one that came to mind.