EA engine problems - revisited (like the Matrix LOL) - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Axeman82 · 11-03-2003, 14:00

Hi guys just bringing up an old topic that I discussed my current car problems..

1. Started car one morning and large pouring of white smoke out of exhaust.

2. Suspected head gasket with water in oil.

3. Compression even across 1-4,6 with 5 (20psi down).

4. Changed white oil and still coolant loss but no more visible water in oil (just small residue that requires another change).

5. Rough idle but runs well at highway revs since oil in water.

6. Temp gauge goes up and down correlating with throttle input.

7. Removed all spark plugs expecting to see no. 5 plug polished from water but all look fine.

8. Cooling system pressurises and retains pressure under cap even after a few days of sitting.

9. Friend thinks that it may not be the head gasket but being a CFI it could be a corroded intake manifold with water entering with the air/fuel mixture via the heater pipe.

10. Very occassionally when being cold started when it is just about to fire there is a loud clunk and stalls. This has been occuring for over two years.

11. A mechanic told me a while ago that rough idle can be caused by the intake manifold spitting a gasket although from external inspection it looks okay to me.

12. Previously before white smoke incident the car would leak coolant out the overflow but only after being stopped for 20/30mins.

13. Car is not being driven for obvious reasons.

I think that is a complete list that I can come up with...

Is there one or two problems which may cause a majority of these symptoms/problems? I think that I should just try and source a second hand MPFI engine to replace the old CFI which would probably cost the same as getting a head gasket fixed. Although if it was the intake manifold problem then that would be cheap and easy to replace.

All the problems to me sound upper engine (head/head gasket/intake manifold) related although I am stuck in that I can't through huge money at it to get it fixed and am looking at a cost effective way of fixing the bi-atch.

Previously I've had good help from ebxrt240 (i'm sorry thats not exactly how you spell your nick) who said definately head gasket and others, however I am one of those you want to know how things happen rather than just that they have occured..

Dan..

mongrelEB · 11-03-2003, 14:33

Seems to me you have two options - one, the fuel preheat system is leaking into the manifold.
It surprises me, if that's the case, that the system would retain pressure.
Two, you do have a small leak in the head gasket or crack in the head. This is more likely - it will be sealed until the motor heats up, at which point everything expands and the leaking can begin.

I suggest you stick MPFI on your existing motor, and clean out the oilways with diesel or kero. If there is still water, it has to be the head gasket, and then you could look at sourcing a bare motor. I don't believe that option should be any more expensive than finding a MPFI motor anyway.

Axeman82 · 11-03-2003, 14:49

What would is cost to get a motor installed by a mechanic? I just read in the trading post that someone is selling a 3.9L with an ED XR6 head with ECU and ancillaries for $650...

Dan..

old_mate · 11-04-2003, 02:22

If that number for that engine comes from somewhere in brisbane with suburb starting with C, I bet I will know who it is (uses these forums) converting to MPFI with a new motor would be a snack, and I bet this person has allllll the gear necessary to do it.

u have PM

mongrelEB · 11-04-2003, 22:46

That sounds like a good price man!