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1994 Ford Thunderbird Head gasket or worse?

Tiny
CASSANN
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD
Engine Mechanical problem
1994 Ford Thunderbird V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 90k miles

I was driving this car when it suddenly overheated. Stopped to check the car and antifreeze smelling smoke was coming out of the tailpipe. Shut the car off and had it towed to my mechanic. He discovered all the antifreeze had dropped into the oil pan. He drained the car today of oil and antifreeze and started looking for the leak- filled the car back up with antifreeze and did NOT start the car and the antifreeze he added puddled under the car anyway without being run. He says he "thinks" the head gasket is blown. Would the antifreeze simply run out on a car that is sitting if it's the head gasket? It's a pretty expensive guess in my opinion and I want to know for sure what is wrong with the car before putting any money into it- if at all.
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Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 AT 9:42 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
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If there was smoke from the tail pipe and coolant inside the oil pan, it doesnt look good. Usually head gaskets dont leak externally, but it isnt unheard of. Ifit starts, run it and fill it with coolant to see if it still smokes and if it goes into the oil pan again. Just dont let it overheat, shut it down first. See if your tech will show you where it is leaking externally too
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Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 AT 9:52 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Tell him to point the leak where its coming from- The smoke coming out of the tail is it white in color? Answer this and I'll get something going
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Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 AT 9:52 PM
Tiny
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Yes the smoke was white and it smelled like antifreeze. The mechanic said the oil was sitting on top of the antifreeze, which is why I didnt smell or see antifreeze when I checked the oil. ALL of the antifreeze had made it's way into the oil pan. One thing I forgot- he did check the intake and it looked "pitted" around the aluminum water ports. The intake gasket was also separated from the plastic. He did replace this and fill in the pitts to see if this corrected the leaking before moving onto the head gasket theory- Would you recommend replacing the head gasket if you saw this type of damage around the intake? It makes me wonder what the rest of the insides look like.
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Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 AT 10:38 PM
Tiny
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Have him do a block and pressure tests this will determine where its leaking and get back asap
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Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
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He says he cant get a good reading on a compression test because there is moisture in the pistons. Now what?
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Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
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For some reason I don't trust this fella -Pack up and go somewhere else-Moisture he's got to be joking-Unless he's talking about cylinders being filled with water-which is not compressible-
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Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 AT 4:05 PM
Tiny
CASSANN
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Ras-
I really hate at this point to take it anywhere else. It isn't driveable- so im looking at a tow bill before any labor AGAIN to find out what is wrong with it. My gut instinct is telling me that whatever is wrong with it- its not worth fixing- its going to be a major repair. If it were the head, I don't want to put 1500.00 in the car for those. Not even considering replacing the engine if the block were cracked. I guess what I am trying to say is that if it is a guaranteed thousand dollar or more repair, then I will just junk it.
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Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
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I understand and I feel for you-Just tell him to complete the tests and hoping it is not as bad as you think. I'm not in the position to tell you to junk it am not there with you and the vehicle. Even if its the headgasket its considered major repair am sorry and goodluck-Thank you
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Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
SOPRANOPATTY
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I had a similar experience a few years ago. It was very unnerving and it was the head gasket. One of the memorable things about it was how the oil looked. It looked like melted fudgesicle because the oil and water/antifreeze had mixed. Good luck with your repair. I am not an expert just a Thunderbird owner who might have had the same experience.
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Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 AT 3:00 AM

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