first time problems

kuby123 · #1 02-16-2017, 12:57 PM

Hi everybody. I just joined and this is my first post.I think I have a bad problem here. 3 days ago I noticed my temp gauge was no longer at the spot halfway between cold and the middle of gauge. now it's at middle. So I drained all coolant and put in a new 50/50 mix. Had to buy a new rad cap cause old one was completely torn up. (btw 130,000 miles on engine) Then today, I'm smelling what appears to be burning antifreeze. never before. I searched for any leaks and can't see any but on the left side, just below the head and above exhaust manifold I see what looks like a WHITE CHALKY COLOR all around the back cylinder. could this be antifreeze/water leaking out between AND BURNING onto the head and the engine block? I had auto zone put analyzer on it and only thing to come up says # 2 is misfiring. Do you think I blew head gasket? I checked oil dip stick and it looks as clean as ever. I faithfully change oil every 3k. Anybody with any insight and advice greatly appreciated.

Spectre · #2 02-16-2017, 02:10 PM

How does your oil look? Is there white exhaust coming out of the exhaust pipe? Have you noticed a loss of any coolant? If there is no loss of coolant, it may be something else.

kuby123 · #3 02-16-2017, 04:03 PM

respone to spectre: oli looks as if it was put in yesterday, no discoration or water, no white exhaust at tailpipe, have to drive it for a few miles to see if coolant level drops' I just changed it. I will respond. Tomorrow morning I will power wash entire engine and complete area under the hood to remove any grime and grease dirt that built up over last 10 years.

kuby123 · #4 02-16-2017, 04:32 PM

oh, one more thing. the check engine light is on constantly since this started

Spectre · #5 02-17-2017, 06:29 AM

This does not sound like a blown head gasket to me. Let me know when you check to see if the coolant is leaking. I'm not an expert, but I'll do what I can to help.

kuby123 · #6 02-17-2017, 02:59 PM

hi spectre, well, I finished power washing the engine and the white chalky colr seems to be gone. Now, I just have to drive it around a little and then check that spot on engine for leakage. I will repost after that. thanks

Spectre · #7 02-17-2017, 08:55 PM

No problem. Just let me know how it goes.

DKB · #8 02-18-2017, 08:17 PM

For a while mine had a very slow coolant leak and a smell of antifreeze, but no visible leaks. The antifreeze smell would only occur when I had the heater on, which was due to a clogged heater core. Make sure to leave a pan under your truck overnight to see if anything is leaking outside the engine. If your coolant is getting low over a period of time but there are no visible leaks, it has to be leaking into the engine. Mine was leaking around the timing chain cover gasket internally, but it was very small so I guess it would evaporate when the engine was running. I never noticed water in the oil on the oil stick, but thanks to a small rear main oil seal leak I had, I discovered traces of antifreeze in the oil in the pan I left under the truck . That's when I knew I had a problem and when antifreeze is getting into the oil, it's always something major and expensive. Head gaskets, cracked heads, and timing chain cover gaskets are the main culprits for internal coolant leaks, depending on the model year.

Also, using a 50/50 antifreeze mixture is not strong enough for these engines in my opinion. Most people neglect changing their antifreeze on a regular basis, so it's better to not use the pre-mixed antifreeze.

rangerlocal · #9 02-19-2017, 10:21 AM

I personally wouldn't have powerwashed my engine, but that's just me.

Regardless, being halfway between cold and hot is normal. So if you weren't getting there before when fully warmed up, either your temp sensor wasn't working correctly, or your thermostat was stuck open.

Also, since your CEL is on now, your truck is trying to tell you something is wrong. Auto parts stores read codes for free. Get them read and let us know what they are.

Grumpa · #10 02-19-2017, 02:12 PM

If you suspect a blown head gasket, when the truck gets to operating temp, peek inside the coolant reservoir while its running, if you see constant bubbling that doesn't go away, you may have a failed head gasket. Keep in mind, that since you did a coolant change and such, there may be a little trapped air that hasn't made its way out yet and will burp into the tank occasionally till it's gone. The bubbling I'm talking about is constant and won't go away.

kuby123 · #11 03-02-2017, 04:35 PM

I fixed the leak. It was a bad T fitting from out of heater core back to area at thermostat. I say a T coupling because it has a smaller thin hose which comes out at the bottom of the T and looks like it's a vacuum line going to right side of valve cover. $36.50 just for the hoses. Cant use a plumbing style adapter. So, no more leak. But the cel is still going on for 5 days and yesterday it went off. Go figure. Had auto zone analyzer and it said misfire on number two. If I remember correctly I changed the wires, plugs and coil pack about 3 years ago. I wonder can anything make it misfire other than wires and coil pack? i just put in new plugs and still misfiring. No leaks, at head gasket or anywhere. I have to buy the Special little hex socket kit just to remove the maf sensor. I'm on a limited income and don't have the money to buy every little thing that MIGHT be the problem. Any more ideas?

kuby123 · #12 03-03-2017, 09:50 AM

I went back to auto zone today and they said analyzer will not work if cel is not lit up. But, prior to that, When I went out to truck this morning the engine wouldn't even crank. I put the charger on it and was able to get to walmart, bought a new 100.00 dollar battery and left store and installed it in store lot. Suddenly, now the engine does not miss or anything.
I also bought a can of seafoam to put in because auto zone clerk said I might have some residual effects from when gasoline clogged up the injectors. I will get back with results to all that helped me. thank you. Truck has been acting like a temperamental little kid ever since it sat for three months when I had neck surgery.

rangerlocal · #13 03-05-2017, 11:37 AM

If it's one specific cylinder continuously causing the problems, it could be valve seating problems. Compression test would tell.