Newbie

retrogrouch · 05-25-12, 04:31 PM

Hi - My name is Ron and I am a Newbie

Car: I bought a box stock 1994 four door Legend in January.
I like the car, but have numerous problems:
1. Overheating/Blown Head Gasket - Had shop repair
2. Wife tried to remove front bumper panel on parking curb - Spent Sunday afternoon putting back in place
3. Stock Bose radio completely quit working - Had it repaired

Me: I am an environmental engineer working for a large aerospace company (we build satellites.)
I ran my fathers imported car repair shop in the 70's, built and crewed race cars with him, and worked full time for a race team for 2 years.
I collect vintage audio equipment (no BPC, black-plastic-crap)

Current problem: Oil Leak - After I got the car back from the head gasket repair, it leaked oil - 6 to 8 inch puddle everywhere I parked. I checked and found the oil overfilled. I had the shop drain the excess oil and the leak slowed down but did not stop. It is now six weeks later and it still leaves a small puddle (2 to 3 inches) everywhere I park. Additionally, for the 2 months before the BHG, it did not leak or use any oil. I checked today before I took it back to the shop and it was a appx 1 quart down.

The shop owner said the oil is leaking between the center of the block and head gasket on the exhaust side on both sides of the engine. The shop owner said the block must be warped. I have used this shop for over 15 years, and they are honest and competent, but I am not convinced this is the problem. I inspected the drawings in the factory manual and numerous pictures of head gaskets on ebay, and I don't see any oil passages near the center of the lower edge of the block.

Am I correct that the only oil passage to the head are through the manual calls the "head orifices"? Are there any oil passages near the center of the lower edge of the block?

JonsLegend · 05-25-12, 05:59 PM

Probably valve cover gaskets there really easy to lay over when installing do you smell burning oil

BIGBOY · 05-25-12, 08:06 PM

Welcome to the forum Ron, you have an exciting history. As mention start with valve covers than cam seals.

L3GDKANG/JDMKANG · 05-25-12, 10:17 PM

Welcome to the fourms and you need to ask them if the heads were warped? If so did the have the fixed?

retrogrouch · 05-26-12, 04:23 PM

Thanks to everyone that replied. My first suspesion was that it is the cam covers. I plan to thoroughly clean the engine and then watch the suspect areas closely while the engine is running. I'll let everyone know what I find. Does any know for certain if there are oil passages near the center cylinder exhaust side of the block?

Ron

JonsLegend · 05-26-12, 10:13 PM

Willy go look at that block I brought ya

retrogrouch · 05-27-12, 04:20 PM

So I cleaned the engine, drove it a little and jacked it up. I found fresh oil on the drivers side of the block just behind the bulge for the second cylinder head bolt. I also saw a section of the head gasket sticking out appx 1/4". The protruding section of gasket also had part of a passage like for water visible.

I also removed the exhaust manifold sheild to inspect the lower edge of the valve cover. There wasn't a drop of oil there and the top of the exhaust manifold was clean, no fresh or burnt oil.

So I think the mechanic put the head gasket on upsidedown, or backward, or switched left to right. Whichever, it ain't right.

So now I get to do verbal battle with the shop owner who says the block is warped.

Wish me luck - retrogrouch

'

Green94Legend · 05-27-12, 05:50 PM

Wow, hope you get your problem resolved....and, welcome, from another noob..

L3GDKANG/JDMKANG · 05-28-12, 09:08 AM

The heads would warp way b4 your block and would take a whole lot to warp the block.

retrogrouch · 11-29-12, 09:37 PM

Sorry to gone so long - Long story short, the shop took the heads off and agreed the gaskets had been installed wrong. They redid the work and the car runs well with the exception of a rough idle when cold. It had a smooth idle hot or cold when I first bought it - oh well.

I also took the advice elsewhere on this site and had the shop replace the rear motor/trans mount. This definitely reduced the roughness in the 1st to 2nd shift.

I've tracked the milage religiously and get 20 to 21 mpg. This is after I apply a 15% correction to the odometer reading, based on what google maps shows as the milage between house and work and the odometer reading for same.

Thanks to everyone for thier advice when I was pursueing the headgasket problem.

L3GDKANG/JDMKANG · 11-30-12, 08:22 AM

Glad to hear this.

johnn03 · 02-03-13, 01:33 PM

hello ron.i am also newbie here.