"BruteTork" <none (AT) 000 (DOT) com> wrote


That would be a cause for alarm. I'd suspect a cracked head or bad head
gasket. Unfortunately, Quad 4's have their share of problems. Taking them
apart for what should be some simple work, can be like working a Chinese
finger puzzle.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE (AT) alltel (DOT) net

I have a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am GT w/ a 2.3L Quad-4 engine. I recently
changed the oil, and used Pennzoil engine flush to try and release
what sounds like a sticky lifter (kinda worked). I added the engine
flush to my old oil and ran the engine for 10 mins, then did the oil
change to Mobil 1 synthetic. This was about a week ago, and this
morning i started up my car and it was coughing and sputtering and
just not sounding all that happy (idle or throttle). I removed the
air filter to see if the engine was being starved of air, but that
didnt change anything, so i reinstalled it. Next, i noticed that i
was low on coolant, so i topped that up (there didnt appear to be any
puddles or leaks, but i still had to add about 2 quarts). I didnt
expect that to do anything because a choppy running engine has nothing
to do with coolant, and it didnt. I had a quick peek at my oil on the
dipstick for argument’s sake, and it was very cloudy/murky. This
worries me. The rough idle was all but fixed after i removed the
spark plugs and re-gapped them to spec (they are being replaced tonite
b/c they are pretty shot). But the new synthetic oil going cloudy and
a low coolant levels with no visible external leak confuses me. Also,
the plugs were pretty wet with some fluid, im not sure whether it was
coolant or oil.

Sorry about the long post, but can anyone offer any help?

--
Posted at author's request, using http://www.AutoBoardz.com interface
Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact author/report abuse
Thread archive: http://www.AutoBoardz.com/Synthetic-...ict208115.html

"BruteTork" <none (AT) 000 (DOT) com> wrote in message
No confusion, you have a major problem. Don't bother changing the plugs
until you replace the defective part. Minimum is a bad head gasket, maximum
is a rebuild.

"Mike Marlow" <mmarlow (AT) alltel (DOT) net> wrote


Unfortunately, very true... These engines held out a lot of promise but
definitely had some weaknesses.

Next, i noticed that i

As stated below the plugs were wet. By the description the engine isn't
hitting on all cylinders because of the coolant in the cylinder. This makes
it run very rough. No visible leak because it is leaking into the
crankcase in your oil. As another poster stated minimum head gasket. The
flush probably just sped up the problem removing residue that blocked some
of the leak.


I had a quick peek at my oil on the

oh goody lol. if a bad head gasket is my minimum, then i am looking
at least 11.4 hrs of labor (as per GM Goodwrench labor quote manual).

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:
--
Posted at author's request, using http://www.AutoBoardz.com interface
Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact author/report abuse
Thread archive: http://www.AutoBoardz.com/Synthetic-...ict208115.html

you can do faster tahn the stated however, when you take out the head,
you might change the stem seals also. I would do if i were you.

well, due to the oil’s lack of lubricating properties (antifreeze in
oil), i threw a rod through my crankcase on the way to the service
dept. of the dealership that i work at. engine is wrote and im
broke.... :x any of y’all have a beater i could buy?? :wink:

"uccoskun" wrote:
--
Posted at author's request, using http://www.AutoBoardz.com interface
Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact author/report abuse
Thread archive: http://www.AutoBoardz.com/Synthetic-...ict208115.html

"BruteTork" <none (AT) 000 (DOT) com> wrote

I drove my wife's corsica (3.1 V6) at least 30 miles (and she probably 70
or so) after it dumped antifreeze into the crankcase from a blown intake
seal . The oil pan was FULL of sludge the consistency of grease . Motor
survived , with the only lasting problem a lifter that ticks when cold . We
did a complete rebuild ... about 60,000 miles ago .
Tech4's must really suck ...

--

Snag aka OSG #1
'90 Ultra , "??"
BS132 SENS NEWT
none to one to reply