So my coupe's dead... (long post)

[Slowstang96]

Last week, started developing a "ticking" sound under fairly hard acceleration. Not the best description, but its the best I can do. I believe now it may be detonation? On my way to work, problem became constant and now car won't accelerate, only making the noise louder. I coasted to a stoplight, where the car died and wouldn't start. Smoke appeared to be coming from under the drivers side head. Towed car to shop and their diagnosis was -
No coolant, leak seems to be coming from timing chain cover. Also failed block test, likely blown head gaskets. Estimate to replace heads, valve job, new gaskets and new timing cover gasket about $2k. I said thanks but towed it home to tackle myself. Time isn't a big factor as I already bought a dd, but would love to get it running again. My plan is to get a pump that connects to upper radiator and see where the leak is coming from and replace parts as necessary. If its the timing cover gasket (seems like common occurance from searching) could that have caused the block test failure as well? Or should I just get new head gaskets too. The shop said if I go that route, I should bring the heads in to have them do a valve job. Is this necessary? From their testing (without taking it apart) they said the bottom end "should" be ok. Am I missing anything from my troubleshooting logic? Thanks for your input.

 

[5.0Torx]

im not you or an expert engine mechanic, but all ill say is if it were me and my money, i'd pull the engine out and just overhaul everything. your back will thank you for it and youll have piece of mind knowing everythings fresh rather than second guessing yourself if any issues arise. I also would not put the stock heads back on, or intake. But im a firm beleiver in upgrading the stupid thing every time it breaks. Its the chepaest way to go about upgrading the car. I do understand though, being an old car, sometimes it breaks more often than youre ready to upgrade it! such is life.

 

[Slowstang96]

You're right, upgrading as things broke was the original intent when I bought the car. Heads were next anyway since its got an e-cam w/ stock heads. Unfortunately, it (I) put me in a bad spot where I had to have transportation and I broke down and bought a new Lexus. Wife says I can't have 2 toys.... So at this point, I'm either going to get it running (correctly) and try to sell it or just start parting it out.
If the problem is just a $20 gasket, getting it running again shouldn't be too much of a problem, but I just wanted to see if my description rang any bells with you guys. Thanks for the input, keep it coming.

 

[blubullett]

What do you mean you cant have 2 toys? The lexus isnt a toy its to drive you around when you are working on your toy. An easy way to check for water leaks is get one of those radiator flush kits from kragens that snaps into the radiator and hooks to your hose. If it is something like the front cover then fix that and do a compression test. If it shows a bad cylinder or something then I would pull the engine so its easier to work on. Check to see if the rotating assembly is ok, if it is then replace the heads with some afr 165s and replace the head gaskets. Good luck.

 

[raulbadillo]

why afr 165s? if he is gonna sell it then why not go cheap and put some TFS heads or even cheaper and use some GT 40 P heads? I like the AFR heads but in my opinion the TFS heads and the AFR 165s are neck to neck. And u wont notice the difference between both. Unless ur a hard core drag racing fanatic that is at the track every weekend then i would go for something more radical but for the street strip car I would save the xtra two hundred dollars that the AFRs run over the TFS heads and do something else to the car. just my two cents.

 

[Slowstang96]

Thanks for the info guys, been a while since I've had time to look at it but here's the latest:
I put a pressure tester on the radiator cap and the leak seems to be coming from the back of the water pump. From what I gather, the slow dripping leak is usually a sign of a bad pump and the coolant is just dripping to the back? In either case, a water pump is relatively cheap so I will replace anyway.
As far as the heads, a friend at work told me to look at the oil and check for coolant in the oil. I just checked and didn't notice any. Based on that, he said the gaskets might be ok. Any truth to that? I'm getting new gaskets from another friend cheap, but don't want to tear into the heads unless I have to.

 

[1990Coupe]

Piece of mind - i'd replace the Water pump and the head gaskets. Do the work yourself and it won't cost much at all, just time. Just my .02

 

[2000xp8]

You can lose all the coolant through the timing cover.
The coolant turns acidic and eats through it.

Regardless, i'd ditch the entire engine.
Rings are probably shot, so are the bearings.

Get an explorer junk yard engine, swap your accessories on, and be done with it.

 

[NIKwoaC]

You can lose all the coolant through the timing cover.
The coolant turns acidic and eats through it.

Regardless, i'd ditch the entire engine.
Rings are probably shot, so are the bearings.

Get an explorer junk yard engine, swap your accessories on, and be done with it.

+ the cam, and any other performance goodies you have. The Explorer cam, from what I've heard, is pretty wimpy.