symbiot3 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Our '80 210 just stopped on the highway. Needing assistance- anyone know of mechanics near Padden PKWY, Ext 32, in Vancouver, WA? Car has power & fuel. Car decelerated & died smoking- will crank, but not start. Fuel in fuel filter looks uncontaminated. Waiting for her to cool down to check water level. Have tools on site already. Please advise- 17:09 Quote Link to comment
Cosmonaut Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 smoking? was it heavy? check the exhaust pipe for wetness? Possibly blown head gasket? Check for fluid level condition of oil 1 Quote Link to comment
kmc63 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 if the coolant shows bubbles or milky gray probably a head gasket. (milky gray)= oil in coolant. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 White........ steam from coolant.... over heating or head gasket blown. Black........ fuel... over richness... carb flooding Blue......... oil burning..... usually engine damage. 2 Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Might be flooding, I drove my datto for 130 miles with a blown head gasket... Check your spark plugs, if any are wet and smell like gas, it's the carburetor causing it... Quote Link to comment
angliagt Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Update? Quote Link to comment
symbiot3 Posted September 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Thank you, all. Checking g her out as soon as I get home from work. You guys are all awesome- thank you! Will reply with what I find out Quote Link to comment
symbiot3 Posted September 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 White........ steam from coolant.... over heating or head gasket blown. Black........ fuel... over richness... carb flooding Blue......... oil burning..... usually engine damage. Quote Link to comment
symbiot3 Posted September 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 White steam from head & valve cover, from what I could see yesterday Eve. Radiator leak also (source of problem)- not holding coolant. Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Sounds like a blown head gasket, possible cracked the head too...they aren't hard to find, pull it, get it checked. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 10, 2016 Report Share Posted September 10, 2016 You say the rad is leaking? Like just started, or you were driving with it leaking? If it was leaking before this and you kept driving on it then there could be trouble. If it just now blew and you didn't keep driving on it, it may just need rad repairs or replacement. Quote Link to comment
symbiot3 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Didn't discover radiator leak until the car stopped, Friday. Wouldn't have driven it with a coolant leak- I know that leads to big trouble. Quote Link to comment
symbiot3 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Sounds like a blown head gasket, possible cracked the head too...they aren't hard to find, pull it, get it checked. Quote Link to comment
symbiot3 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Thank you, KoheartsGPA. Will pull & have head checked. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Don't pull the head...... Your only symptom so far is steam from radiator juice sprayed all over the engine.. Get it home and get the rad fixed. Only way to know if there is a bad gasket is to get it running first. Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Well...he did state it stopped on the highway in his first post, hmmm Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Yes... overheated. Rad pukes all over the wires and ignition, gas boils in carb. Hey... not saying the gasket isn't blown. Sayin' check first to save some work... just sayin'. 1 Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Agreed, check all the usual suspects and then only then pull the head.... Quote Link to comment
HRH Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Just check the compression. If the gasket's blown, you'll find a hole with less than ideal pressure. Quote Link to comment
symbiot3 Posted September 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 What are the compression specs for an '81 210/B310 A15 engine? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 I don't know but 8.5 wouldn't be too far off. 1 Quote Link to comment
symbiot3 Posted September 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 Finally got around to this issue. Pulled plugs- #'s 2 & 3 had coolant on them still. #'s 2,3, & 4 had been fouled with crusted coolant. Compression test results were as follows: (dry/wet)- #1 (130/150), #2 (80/80), #3 (0/10), #4 (15/30). 1 Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 There you go, off with her head! Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 What are the compression specs for an '81 210/B310 A15 engine? I see what you mean now. Compression pressure will vary widely with valve sealing. Another thing is the intake valve does not close (valve timing) until the piston well up the cylinder. On an L20B it's 50degrees ABDC. A 'hot cam' would be even higher up so the entire swept volume of the cylinder is not compressed. Another loss is the rings leaking. A very, very general rule would be 8.5 ratio is .... around 160 PSI This is very general. Well the steam at the side could now be confirmed as the gasket blown out and/or the head badly warped. Valve seats could also be loose. 1 Quote Link to comment
symbiot3 Posted September 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2016 Indeed, koparts, off with her head, lol. Thank you, DatzenMike, for compression info. Any suggestions on reputable machine shops in SW Washington, & proven head gasket brands? 1 Quote Link to comment
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