Wease Posted December 19, 2002 Report Share Posted December 19, 2002 I seem to be losing coolant in my 1991 Ford Probe LX with the 3.0 V6. If I remember corretly, Ford did have problems with the head gaskets on the early 3.0 and 3.8 engines. I'm pretty sure I'm not leaking it anywhere (no pools underneath the car), so I'm thinking possible head gasket? Basically I want to know all ways I can lose coolant out of my engine. I'm thinking there are only two; it leaks out or you burn it. If I am indeed burning it, I'm not noticing any discoloration of the exhaust (which would indicate burning coolant), but who knows. So if it is indeed a head gasket, what are the dangers of driving with a bad one? I'm guessing as long as I keep an eye on how much coolant is in there (basically enough so that I don't overheat), I'll be fine for a while. Changing the head gasket(s) in my daily driver is not something I want to attempt right now. Any thoughts on why I might be losing coolant, how I can tell which way I am losing it, a solution and/or if I'm still OK to drive the car as is? How hard is it to change out the gaskets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrousbird Posted December 19, 2002 Report Share Posted December 19, 2002 CHECK YOUR OIL!!!!! If it is foamy and white, well......you have coolant in your oil = very bad. Good way to take out your motor there Sean, bad bad bad! Also, burning coolant would cause white "gases" to come out of your exhaust. Head gasket....dunno, not sure how hard it would be on that car. I assume it is an OHC motor, I've only done it on pushrod motors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula Posted December 19, 2002 Report Share Posted December 19, 2002 I second the milky oil thing. If you have a bad water pump or a line that has a problem it could be dripping on something very hot and boiling off. If that is happening you would be able to smell burnt coolant when your engine is hot. Head gasket will give you milky oil, coolant out the tail pipe (steam) etc.... You could go to napa or pep boys and have them charge your coolant system with a pressurizer and that would show a line real quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wease Posted December 19, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2002 Originally posted by Nitrousbird: I assume it is an OHC motor, I've only done it on pushrod motors.It's not an OHC motor, it has pushrods. smile.gif Thanks for the info guys, I'll take it somewhere to have it checked out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted December 22, 2002 Report Share Posted December 22, 2002 Let the car sit running in the same spot for a few minutes. If the water pump is bad, water will leak out the seep hole. Chances are you might not overheat the motor in this weather because its cold, and you have your heater on cooling the coolant anyhow. Just an extra idea. also, pull your dipstick out. Take a lighter to the oil. If it pops and cracks, you have water in your oil. That is bad. Cool way to weld bearings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.