2002 Trans Am Losing Coolant
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Teching In
Joined: May 2019
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2002 Trans Am Losing Coolant I have a 2002 Trans Am and it is losing coolant. The car sat for 5 years and over the summer I did a lot a maintenance to get it road ready again. I did new plugs, wires, fuel pump,...etc.
Long story short, she started right up and seems to run great. Over the past 3 months I haven't driven it, but start it up every so often. Whenever I do I get white smoke and she runs rough for the first 15 or so seconds.
I checked the coolant levels and found that they are going down with no apparent leaks. Is my problem a blown head gasket/cracked head?
Anyone who has experienced this please tell me what you think.
Thanks!
Long story short, she started right up and seems to run great. Over the past 3 months I haven't driven it, but start it up every so often. Whenever I do I get white smoke and she runs rough for the first 15 or so seconds.
I checked the coolant levels and found that they are going down with no apparent leaks. Is my problem a blown head gasket/cracked head?
Anyone who has experienced this please tell me what you think.
Thanks!
Your description certainly sounds like coolant is getting into the combustion chamber.
I don't think it's a good idea to continue starting it under the circumstances, you risk a hydraulic lock that could cause damage to the bottom end of the engine.
I would remove all spark plugs and use a borescope to look for coolant in the cylinders to confirm. If there is evidence of coolant the heads will have to come off for further diagnosis.
I don't think it's a good idea to continue starting it under the circumstances, you risk a hydraulic lock that could cause damage to the bottom end of the engine.
I would remove all spark plugs and use a borescope to look for coolant in the cylinders to confirm. If there is evidence of coolant the heads will have to come off for further diagnosis.
Even if the scope turns out to show nothing, I would still follow with a coolant system pressure check.
This is an easy thing to do and prudent given the symptoms. BTW - These days, everyone should have a boroscope in the toolbox. There are also really inexpensive ones that plug into cel phones now.
Even if the scope turns out to show nothing, I would still follow with a coolant system pressure check.
Even if the scope turns out to show nothing, I would still follow with a coolant system pressure check.
