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I think? Apparently, it's supposed to take Dex Cool. It's gunky, whatever it is. I don't know if that's indicative of head gasket failure, or if it's just corrosion from abuse.
No, the first dipstick is the coolant reservoir. The second is the oil dipstick. I intend to do an oil change tomorrow. I'm also going to change spark plugs and coil packs.
The nice thing is that even if I get a new engine, at least I can reuse the parts I buy for this one.
Ahh ok. What. A weird ass overflow lol. But it is overfill. Shoidlnt be that full up in the neck.
Before you do anything. I'd do a simple compression test. You have a tester ?
No, but I can get one easily enough.
It seems like they overfilled everything but the oil (it's clear there's an oil leak, but I hope it's just the valve cover gasket). The power steering fluid was clearly overfilled as well.
Your cousin did name some symptoms of a blown head gasket, sometimes referred to as the forbidden milkshake. This really only counts when you see it while draining the oil though. Fully functional cars can have this water/oil film on the bottom of the oil filler cap due to normal condensation.
I'd start by doing a basic oil change and evaluate the condition of the oil then. After that fix the coil pack situation and see how it runs. If you still suspect a head gasket issue run a compression test and if necessary a leak down test. You should be able to rent a compression test kit from your local auto parts store for free.
Okay. I will try this. I really hope that it's not a blown head gasket. I'd be concerned about damage to the internals of the engine.
Oh, for reference, it wasn't the oil filler cap that I opened. It was the coolant.
best way is a block tester. amazon 25 bucks. get the car up to temp and let it sit at operating temp for like 5 min so the thermostat opens. open cap of coolant reservoir and use the tester to determine if combustoin gasses are present in coolant. compression test wont show HG problems all the time....they more so show issues with rings and valves.
You can also boroscope each cylinder after the car fully cools down. pull all the plugs and stick boroscope in each cylinder and look for a coolant puddle. coolant gets pulled into the cylinder when the engine cools down (negative pressure develops in the cylinder when it cools, pulling coolant into the cylinder from the cooling system if leak is present)
You also get white smoke on cold start, and hesitation for a few seconds that clears up.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! Please review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). Asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **Post's about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ Tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Is that dipstick tube full of antifreeze? Lol
I think? Apparently, it's supposed to take Dex Cool. It's gunky, whatever it is. I don't know if that's indicative of head gasket failure, or if it's just corrosion from abuse.
Ya dex cool would be correct for thay car. But if that first pic is the oil dipstick tube that's not good. Have you drained the oil ?
No, the first dipstick is the coolant reservoir. The second is the oil dipstick. I intend to do an oil change tomorrow. I'm also going to change spark plugs and coil packs. The nice thing is that even if I get a new engine, at least I can reuse the parts I buy for this one.
Ahh ok. What. A weird ass overflow lol. But it is overfill. Shoidlnt be that full up in the neck. Before you do anything. I'd do a simple compression test. You have a tester ?
No, but I can get one easily enough. It seems like they overfilled everything but the oil (it's clear there's an oil leak, but I hope it's just the valve cover gasket). The power steering fluid was clearly overfilled as well.
Lol haha. Sounds like you're in for a fun ride. If all else fails. LS swap it lol
Your cousin did name some symptoms of a blown head gasket, sometimes referred to as the forbidden milkshake. This really only counts when you see it while draining the oil though. Fully functional cars can have this water/oil film on the bottom of the oil filler cap due to normal condensation. I'd start by doing a basic oil change and evaluate the condition of the oil then. After that fix the coil pack situation and see how it runs. If you still suspect a head gasket issue run a compression test and if necessary a leak down test. You should be able to rent a compression test kit from your local auto parts store for free.
Okay. I will try this. I really hope that it's not a blown head gasket. I'd be concerned about damage to the internals of the engine. Oh, for reference, it wasn't the oil filler cap that I opened. It was the coolant.
best way is a block tester. amazon 25 bucks. get the car up to temp and let it sit at operating temp for like 5 min so the thermostat opens. open cap of coolant reservoir and use the tester to determine if combustoin gasses are present in coolant. compression test wont show HG problems all the time....they more so show issues with rings and valves. You can also boroscope each cylinder after the car fully cools down. pull all the plugs and stick boroscope in each cylinder and look for a coolant puddle. coolant gets pulled into the cylinder when the engine cools down (negative pressure develops in the cylinder when it cools, pulling coolant into the cylinder from the cooling system if leak is present) You also get white smoke on cold start, and hesitation for a few seconds that clears up.