1996 Olds 88/125,000 miles/Will not crank

WKIML

MEMBER
1996 OLDSMOBILE

My 1996 Old 88 just stopped running. I had been running errands and the car ran fine, upon coming home the car sputtered lost power but than kicked back in. As I parked the car I noticed a very strong sulfur smell coming for the engine. Needless when I tried the car about 5 minutes later it tries to turn over but will not catch and it belched huge amounts of white smoke from the exhaust. Since then it will not do anything. All the electrical systems are fine.

Any ideas what happened? Any suggestions to get her running again

3 Replies

MVANNESSJR

MECHANIC
223 POSTS

A sulfer smell can mean the catalytic convertor is torched. This can result in the 02 sensors seeing better days. I've seen white smoke come from running too lean on fuel, but usually a sign of coolant. Possibly a coolant leak.

I'd start looking at the catalytic convertor and the 02 sensors first though.

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Tuesday, February 7th, 2006 AT 8:27 AM

WKIML

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Catalytic converter is about a year old.I do have a coolant leak, but keep the radiator and reserve full before any driving

Someone on another board mentioned GM motors sometimes Hydrolock. Not sure what that means

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Tuesday, February 7th, 2006 AT 12:22 PM

MVANNESSJR

MECHANIC
223 POSTS

Hydrolock has to do with water entering the engine. I doubt it has anything to do with your car.

Cat may be a year old, doesn't matter. It should still be under warranty. If you know you have a coolant leak then it may be getting progressively worse.

Do an oil change and see if you have any coolant in the oil. This can cause severe and sometimes irreversible engine damage.

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Tuesday, February 7th, 2006 AT 7:02 PM