Looking for input before I take it to the shop.

About 2 weeks ago my heater stopped working, so I checked the radiator fluid, there wasn't much at all. Put in about 3/4 gallon and heat worked fine. No cabin heater core leak. I had not even checked the fluid lately. And a few days later I checked and had to add more, and every few days I add more. The car is driven daily but only few miles. I have been searching for a hose or radiator leak but can't find anything. Got a new stock radiator cap. I would have thought that I had a bad hose.

Car runs fine as usual. No codes, no misfire, wouldn't even know there was a problem if I didn't check the fluid. No white smoke from the exhuast, can't find a leak. Keep adding fluid. Today when I checked the oil there was some milky emulsion at the top of the dip stick.

167,000 miles, 2002 WS6, usually trouble free. Still runs great. I have done most of the work on this car for the last 20 years but I don't do internal engine stuff because I am getting old. Worried about hydro lock developing.

So looking for advice. How much do you think this sort of repair usually costs?

Did I blow a head gasket? That is what I am thinking. If so, how much labor do you think it would take, 5hrs, 10, 15hrs. trying to prepare myself. Local shop is getting a good reputation and I will talk to them on Monday, 2 days from now.

Car runs great but I know it can't stay this way. So any input or experience would be appreciated.

 

With short trips like this, especially in cold(er) weather, that type of build-up could be normal condensation. I used to see that occasionally on the dipstick (and often under the oil fill cap) of my wife's car when she still worked just a couple miles from home - this would happen in the cooler months. That car never lost a drop of coolant, so it definitely wasn't coming from a head gasket failure. It can be the simple side-effect of not getting the engine/oil hot enough during those frequent short trips in cold weather.

In your case, was the oil level higher than it should be? If coolant is being lost via a head gasket leak, it's either got to be in the crankcase or burning out the exhaust...either way, I think you would notice something with that much coolant loss (white smoke, or a higher oil level/milkshake in the pan).

You might want to drain a bit of the oil and send it in for an analysis (such as Blackstone Labs), and/or check the coolant for combustion gases (they sell a test kit for this). You could also pull a couple spark plugs on each side and see how they look.

FWIW, there have been some members over the years who have reported odd leaking behavior from the water pump on these engines. Never any puddles when the vehicle is parked, so the leak must only occur while in operation. Normally there will be some amount of minor staining or dampness around the weep hole, but otherwise no real evidence of the leak. I know I've read accounts of this type of failure mode on more than one occasion, so I would do a bit more checking before assuming it's a head gasket and tearing into the engine (again, test the oil and coolant for signs of contamination).

 

Thanks for the input. Regular amount of oil on the dip stick, no extra. Still looking for the cause.

 

Have you pressure tested the cooling system yet?

 

I took it for a longer drive today. Water pump is definatly leaking. Talking to the local shop tomorrow and setting up an appointment to get the water pump changed.

I would do it myself but my garage has no electricity and there are not enough hours of day light this time of year. Plus it is colder than ****. Job can't wait until June or July. Should be a couple hundred dollars in parts and a couple hours of labor.

Thanks to everyone for your input, but I think it is time to change the waterpump anyway. 22 years and 167,000 miles.

 

Definitely. I'm surprised yours lasted this long! When mine last failed, it was not only slowly leaking out the shaft but was sucking air into the system, pushing coolant out through the overflow as I was driving down the road. (leaving no trace)

While you have it in the shop, I would still get a pressure test done to make sure you are solid with everything else beyond the pump.

 

Glad it's just a water pump and not a head gasket. At 167k miles, I would definitely expect that the original water pump would be ready for replacement before any sort of head gasket leak (assuming no major overheat condition occurred).

 

That one definitely did it's time.

 

Following up, because many people don't tell you how it all worked out.

Was definitly the water pump. Worn out and the gaskets/seals were crumbly/rotten, Leaking like hell. I did not peronally see them. New pump installed that came with a new thermostat. Project done!

New, local shop, reasonable price, I am a happy boy again!!