1996 Ford Probe help

Tiny
KAMI6336
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD PROBE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 115,000 MILES
Hi, I need help. I have gone over everything that I can think of. I have a 96 ford probe, with 115,000 and it sat for 15 months while I was in Iraq. Before I left, it would blow white smoke when accelerating. So I replaced the head gaskets. Did a tune up and found oil in where the spark plugs sit, and it won't go over 50 mph. What do you think it might be? Please HELP. Thank you so much. K
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 9:28 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Thank you for serving our country.

I hope I can help here.

It sounds like your piston rings or valve guides may be worn which is what is causing the oil on the plugs.

Oil on the plugs will decrease the amount of spark your vehicle is getting, thus reducing our engines performance tremendously.

Thanks for using 2carpros. Com!
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
KAMI6336
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
How do I get rid of it, and why is there oil in there?
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 9:40 PM
Tiny
KAMI6336
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So are piston rings a pain to change, or should I just look in to getting another engine? Sorry about that last question about how it got there, I didn't read your full response first. I was just excited about getting an answer so quickly. Thank you so much.
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
If the piston rings or valve guides are worn, oil can slip through. You need to have both the piston rings and the valve guides inspected so you can replace whichever one has failed.

Until then it will continue to smoke and run poorly.
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 9:44 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
They are quiet a job. If you are not experienced in mechanics I would suggest taking it to a repair shop. Have an estimate to see what it would cost. I certainly wouldn't think that you should buy a new engine over it though.
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 9:50 PM

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