well, my car died today. sorta. she's running really rough. it's a 1994 plymouth sundance. i was crusin along the highway and started loosing power.  the oil light flashed on but i just put a quart in yesterday and ive never had a car burn oil that fast unless it's got a huge hole in the pan. which mine doesn't. well, then i started getting thick black smoke. and running even rougher by the minute. i try to baby her home but she dies. i notice at this point she's also overheated. so i pop the hood expecting to see all kinds of every fluid spraying everywhere. nothing. just steaming cuz shes's so hot. i let her cool down some and manage to limp her home. she died twice on the way. i had my wife take me to work in her car. so i get home and decide to tinker a bit and fire her up again. she starts although very reluctantly. at this time i notice i am still getting alot of exhaust smoke only now it's white. i'm tired and don't feel like skimming my auto mehcanics course books for a possible solution. i know it can't be good though. so i think i am just gonna put a sign on her and sell her. i don't have the tools or garage space for major engine work. however, i am curious as to the problem. anyone have any ideas they'd like to throw at me?

Rings. If you're burning oil that badly, and thick black smoke, it's rings, I think.

Thermostat Stuck and Warped the Head.Smell your White Smoke it will have a Sweet Smell.

was i wrong to expect to see all my cars fluid going everywhere? that's what's strange to me. nothing is leaking. although if you're right, and i've got ring problems, thermostat problems and head problems, f%$k....might as well buy a new engine!! which i don't have the time for or the money or the proper tools for the job. i have the ability. i'm slightly mechanically inclined. damn. such a crap way to start the week. 

The Black Smoke was Probably from the Engine Overheating and Throwing the Sensors off making it run Rich.Just my Guess.My Aunt has one that Overheated (Actually Still does if you set at a Redlight too Long) it Didn't Blow the Gasket but it still blows Black Smoke.It's not from Oil Usage but the Sensors are Screwed up.It is Running Rich because I had to Borrow it a while back.In 4 days I put $30 in gas in it.

If you have the Tools to do it Just Pull the Head.It doesn't take much to do that.We Did have to Pull the One on Hers a Couple of times Before to have the Head Shaved.Sundances and Shadows are Known for Warping Heads but the More you have it done the easier they are to Warp.

Wish I were Closer.I carry enough tools in my Truck to just Stop by and Help you with it.

i suppose pulling the head really wouldn't be that hard to do. i got some basic tools. am i going to be able eyeball it and know if it's bad? i mean, it's a 94 and i really don't wanna put a whole lot of money into it. i'm thinkin i could find someone round here who needs a parts car ya know?

Just Eyeballing the Gasket Surface probably not but your valves and Piston tops on the Cylinders it is Leaking on will be Clean without any Carbon.Resurfacing and a Head Gasket should be less than $100.The Biggest thing you may need is a Torque Wrench when Putting it back together.I'm sure that they will have one at Auto Zone that they will loan you.IF you have an Auto Zone Nearby.

To check Warpage you can Clean the Gasket Surface and Lay the Head on a Glass plate.Use Feeler Guages to see how far out it is.Depending on the Shop I think you can leave the Cam in.

Then Again if it really over heated you could possibly have a Crack head.

BLACK SMOKE = TO MUCH FUEL

WHITE SMOKE = BURNING COOLANT

GRAYISH BLUE = BURNING OIL

usually the blueish smoke would be burning oil ( along with a foul smell)

i don't know if anything is mixed with my oil. the dipstick is stuck. won't come out now. trans fluid looks normal. i just stuck a for sale sign in it. someone round here will want a parts car i'm sure. i've seen several cars like mine in the area. oh well. at least it was paid for

Quote from: ben2go on July 23, 2007, 11:03:41 PM
BLACK SMOKE = TO MUCH FUEL

WHITE SMOKE = BURNING COOLANT

GRAYISH BLUE = BURNING OIL

+1 you beat me too it

finally going to get rid of it. nobody has offered anything on it. taking it to a scrap yard in the morning. gonna give me $110 per every 2000lbs.  wish it was more. oh well. sometimes shaZam! happens huh?

indeed cars not a heavyweight either, so more than likely not going to get much , but hey good excuse for another car Eh?

Your gonna get like.....maybe $110
Lol
Why don't you roll the windows down and sink that POS into a lake.....everyone should do that once in their lifetime.

i actually got 177 bucks and some change.

Ghey.
177 bucks will last you a very short time. Driving a car into a lake leaves you a stupid drinking story for the rest of your life.

And Possibly a Humungous Fine for Polluting a Water Source while being Intoxicated in Public. Then you have to Pay to have it Pulled out and by the time you sell it you'll be out a few thousand Dollars.But Hey a few Thousand Dollar Fine is well worth the Story to your Friends you make in Jail.

while dropping my car off into the lake would no doubt leave me with a great story(or a moron stamp), the money i did make off of it bought my oldest daughter some new clothes for school this year. so it wasn't a complete loss. besides, that 50 bucks i was paying a month on insurance will help out alot with the new baby on the way.