Ford Mustang 911 in Denver CO

[Sticks]

The 'ol lady's car (1994 3. 8l, auto). For the last year we have been having trouble with overheating.



We have changed out the thermostat, and flushed the system. I have moderate mechanics training, and the symptoms point to a head gasket on the drivers side is on it's way out. We have no oil in the coolant, not sure yet on the coolant in the oil. Oxygen sensors were replaced and drivers side had a green tint to them. The exhaust smells sweet, and the #1 plug on the drivers side also has a green tint to it. Unfortunately the car has been driven several times with the temp gauge pegged. The last incident overfilled the coolant reservoir and lost about 1/2 a gallon.



The mechanic that we were taking the car to says that for that engine it is common to blow the head gaskets. The 'ol lady has lost confidence in him (long story) and we are now looking for another shop to take it to. NO STEALERS! We don't do dealerships, and can not afford the $125 hr that they charge.



We also have a reoccurring problem with the check engine light coming on. I don't remember the code, but the generic OBDII books say "Weak bank #1"



We appreciate any help, suggestions or referrals to a great mechanic in Denver CO. This is her primary source of transportation and we need to get it fixed ASAP. She wont drive my truck (too big for her) and the backup is a 1985 Subaru wagon with 190k miles with it’s own issues.



Sticks

 

[Champane Flight]

Simple stuff

Check the simple stuff first. Your radiator hoses are they mushy? I had a lower radiator hose that was mushy and would collapse and cut off coolant to the radiator. Water pump OK? Thermostat installed correctly? Wash out radiator fins good? Is the timing set correctly? Have someone do a bleed-down compression test on it and check for bubbles in coolant system as it is done. It could be several things. Good luck.

 

[drawson]

3. 8 L Ford blow head gaskets all the time after getting just slightly hot. They don't have enough Head Bolts to seal it good. Everything you describe points right to the head gasket.

 

[LSMITH]

Originally posted by drawson

3. 8 L Ford blow head gaskets all the time after getting just slightly hot. They don't have enough Head Bolts to seal it good. Everything you describe points right to the head gasket.

EDZACHARY, the 3. 8 is notorious for HG failures. There was a class action suit on them too, you may want to look into it and see if Ford will help fix it or at least pay part of the bill. Fix it and get rid of it!!!! Seems once it lets go the next one is at about half the mileage the last one went at.

 

[Sticks]

Re: Simple stuff

Originally posted by Champane Flight

Check the simple stuff first. Your radiator hoses are they mushy? I had a lower radiator hose that was mushy and would collapse and cut off coolant to the radiator. Water pump OK? Thermostat installed correctly? Wash out radiator fins good? Is the timing set correctly? Have someone do a bleed-down compression test on it and check for bubbles in coolant system as it is done. It could be several things. Good luck.

CF



Lower hose has a slinky in it, so it can't collapse. I first thought it was an obstruction. Got a bath in coolant for my efforts.



New water pump.



New thermostat, and spring towards the engine.



Radiator gets cleaned every time I wash it. Only bent fins are from rocks and armored bugs.



Pressure test on coolant system was OK, but that was year.



I will try the compression test when I get my tool back. That one is going to s#@k! Three of the plugs are a little more than buried, and I can never remember which side of my mouth I am supposed to hold my tongue on.



Suggestions or referrals to a good mechanic in the Denver area would be great!



Sticks

 

[Sticks]

Sorry everyone, I need to bump this back to page one. Still looking for good mechanic refferals in Denver.



Sticks

 

[dpuckett]

Sticks,

I was talking to the guy in Carquest the other day, and he said he had a similar problem on his wife's Mustang, and changed all the stuff you had. Turned out the radiator cap was the culprit. Apparently, it wasnt pressurizing the syatem enough to allow th eTstat to operate as designed, and the needle was fluctuating something fierce. Hope it helps. If you were in the Springs, I could give you a referral. Sorry, no one I know of in Denver.



Daniel