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Cause of engine dieing

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Nelson

Nelson

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I just finshed pulling the head and now I know why I was having problems getting the engine to run properly. Repair will also mean an oil change as the antifreeze got into the cylinders. At least I'm not shooting blind anymore.
 

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The gasket failure between the cylinders is bad news, of course, but the burned area on the far right is a concern too. Be sure to check the head flatness.

I can't see why the car would run OK for the first 20 minutes or so, as you described, with a blown head gasket. Maybe have to chalk it up to the vagaries of these little cars' behavior.

Glad you found it, though.
 
I can understand how the head gasket would cause the rough running that I've experienced lately but how it could have caused my intermittent dieing problem escapes me. I certainly hope that there is a connection as I'm really sick and tired of chasing that problem. This hasn't been a good summer between clutch problems and my recent axle half shaft failure. Now I'd like to be able to enjoy the car like it was meant to be.
 
Nelson
If you weren't so hard on it then it wouldn't break!!
(bet that you didn't know that) ???
Sorry- someone had to say it! :smile:
BillM
 
Here I thought these cars were meant to be driven hard. Little Mo loves to leap forward when I punch the GO pedal.
 
Last copper and steel sandwich head gasket that I had in a car ended up looking just like that. Unfortunately I was 100 miles from home and not knowing what was wrong I tried to limp home. Cost me the engine......both head and block were ruined before I could go no farther.
My wife was with me and I guess I didn't think I would live it down if I didn't get her home or I would have probably stopped sooner.

Its been hard to live down!!!:eagerness:

Kurt.
 
Well at least you found it, even if it's not the most pleasant thing to find. Hang in there, your little car will be back on the road.
 
You guys...


aint nuthin' JB weld and duct tape can't fix.:jester:

I believe I'd have me a deck check if not a mini skim to make sure it's flat.
 
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