Check this one out. Went to start my car this morning and it took a bit to "catch". When it did, it was only running on one rotor, stumbling, smoking (light colored). Finally smoothed out, idled pretty good, ran pretty good. Didn't think much of it as it has done this a couple of time before. When leaving work, same thing happens again. Moving car from street to driveway, kinda slow to catch again. Uh-oh. Anybody think this is related to the coolant being pushed into the resivior and not coming back to the engine? Question is, what tests to perform? Compression is an obvious test, but will a coolant pressure test show anywhere? I have plenty of mechanical talents, and just need some guidance. Let's get this party started.

Steve Bertok
(ailing) 94 MB touring

 

Compression doesnt tell you the whole story. My O-rings recently went, and jsut 2 weeks before my compression tested all in the 8s.
If you are afraid you're O-Rings are bad, pressurize the cooling system with the car off. See if coolant is getting in. Your plugs should also eventually get soaked by the coolant.

 

Start the car. Verify that it is coolant coming out the tailpipe. If it is, shut the car off and pull the plugs. If they are covered in water/coolant you probably lost an o-ring. Hopefully, for your sake, it's not.

 

Thanks guys,

Of course, this morning, it started right up as normal. I did sniff the exhaust last night, and although I have a cold, it didn't have any particular coolant smell. A buddy is lending me his pressure tester, so we'll what that shows. Pulling the plugs tonight as well to see if they offer any info. Guess it's a good thing I haven't sent my money in for that track day yet........


Steve

 

sounds like the same problem i was having 3 months ago. it ended up i had blown a coolant seal, at first it wasnt bad same thing yours is doing, doesnt smell but has trouble starting, then one day all hell broke loose and i was pooring white smoke out the tail pipe and then wouldnt restart at all. i was looking down the barrel at a rebuild. but i have been driving my car eneryday since then with no problems, how you ask, well here. go by a can of block seal before it gets anyworse. the in a copper color can at pep boys or something, like 3 bucks. follow the instructions on the can. it works great and i stand by it, no more coolant leaking and is holding up to boost and daily driving great. my advice is do this before it gets beond repair, i thought mine was but it worked. hope this helps and good luck, scott

 

Scott,

Thanks for the words. I also forgot to mention the oily residue I found in the coolant overflow last night, me thinks she is toast! I'd put a bandaid on it, but it's not something I have to have. Plenty of other cars to drive. I was however planning to run a track event that will probably kill it. No sense in doing that. I have acess to a good used engine/turbos I'll just stuff in there and use my old engine to get a nasty port job done on. HEH HEH HEH! Silver lining to every dark cloud I suppose.

Steve

 

Well, allow me to retract my post's question.....the engine puked today Had a very hard time starting it after work, tons of smoke and finally smelled the coolant. Add to that, the coolant buzzer came on after just a couple of minutes of running, and I just topped the coolant off about 25 miles ago.......I think it's fair to say it's over. Time to kick in my "B" plan.


See you in the rear view mirror real soon!

Steve

 

Dude... I feel you... my engine took a sh** several month back due to the same coolant failer... but due to some very helpful folks here on the forum... I tried the CRC copper block weld as a temp. fix. Thus far, I've already put another 5K on the engine... and is fine unless I push the car super hard (not recommended), in which case, I'd have to add some water... and let those copper granules do there magic. If you need to drive you ar daily, like myself... the CRC stuff (avail. at pretty much any local autoparts store)... is an awesome product at about $6 a bottle. Good luck bro... I feel your pain...