95 Mirage death smoke

95 Mirage death smoke - please help

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Mike - 24 Jan 2007 05:29 GMT

Hey guys, I just found this group and I would like to ask your advice
on a problem my friend is having. We're in different cities right now,
so this is second hand information. . .

He has filled his coolant resevoir up in the past few days, so he
*should* be good there. But today, his water temperature gauge shot up
all the way to the top. He is blowing smoke out of the tailpipes even
at a standstill. He is getting warm but not hot air from his heater.

I suspect the head gasket is blown (I'm waiting to hear back about the
status of his oil and whether or not it looks like Yoohoo). So I need
a general idea of what would be involved in replacing this. I'm no
stranger to auto repair, I've gotten plenty of wrenching done on my
car. However, my car is a 1990 Mustang GT. I've never pulled apart an
engine like this before, so I wanted to know what all is involved.
Will all the accessories have to come off? What about the camshaft +
timing belt/chain? Will I have to remove the timing belt along with
both gears/pulleys in order to lift the head off? Etc....

Thanks in advance for all the help guys.

Mike

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Mike - 24 Jan 2007 06:01 GMT

Hmm, they called back and said the oil isn't fouled and the coolant is
continuously dripping on the ground. Too dark outside for specifics.

I'm not ruling out head gasket trouble yet, based on the amount of
smoke described, but are there any other common Mirage problems this
reminds you of?

Thanks again,

Mike

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90 Montero - 24 Jan 2007 19:49 GMT

Mike,

I am not familiar to what engine is in the Mirage however with the
continual smoke it reads as if the head gasket failed, the head warpped
or possiby cracked. Prior to my Montero all the engines I had worked on
were primarily USA, the one area of advise I'll give you is to pick up
a manual something such as a Chilton's. It is my experience the
japanese manufacturers tend to use more component the american
manufacturers, neither right or wrong, just a different approach. U.S
manufacturers seem to use larger casting with more internal cast
components whereas the japanese cars seem to use smaller components but
more of them. Assuming an overhead cam you'll need to tear down the
front of the engine to remove the timing componenets.

Before doing anything though I'd get the engine to operating temp,
remove the plugs, ground out the coil and try a compression test; if it
is a gasket or cracked head it should show. Also if it is a blown head
gasket be certain to check the head for any warping.

Good luck

90 Montero

> Hmm, they called back and said the oil isn't fouled and the coolant is
> continuously dripping on the ground. Too dark outside for specifics.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Mike

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