Where's my coolant?
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Where's my coolant?
Hi All, have a 97 XLT 180k miles. Got CEL light indicating O2 sensors so I replaced them. Started smoking/stinking and smeling like coolant. I tightened the intake manifold bolts and replaced a contaminated, but not too old, O2 sensor. Worked for 2 weeks then started smoking/smelling again. Replaced both intake manifold gaskets, air cleaner, seafoam in the gas, oil change. No CEL for 1 day then it came back on. Running like crap but I can't see any coolant leaks or smell anything in the exhaust. I yank the plugs and one of them is missing the ceramic electrode, busted off halfway up the plug! Replaced the plugs and it runs better but still a tad on the rough side. Also noticed that the coolant overflow tank is now empty. Should I keep the air cleaner and put a motor around it? All suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Vic
Thanks, Vic
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Baltimore
Any sign of a blown head gasket, such as water in the oil? With the engine cold, take off the radiator cap and give it some RPMS. If water starts gushing out of the radiator, you may have a blown head gasket. Did it ever overheat? Also, if you only current problem is with how it runs, you might want to replace the wires and look for vacuum leaks.
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Thanks, Marragtop. No signs of water in the oil, never overheated since I've owned it (5 yrs). Has been good up to this point. I'll double check vac lines for cracks, could have broken one when intake gaskets replaced. Wires are 4 yrs old, might have to replace them too.
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