crunchie_frog
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- June 19, 2010
- Messages
- 688
- Reaction score
- 91
- City, State
- Johnson City, TN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- Multiple 99-00 5.0 AWD
First, I normally post and read the 2nd gen stock forum, but figured more folks in this forum would have the best advice and experience for my issue.
I went to purchase a 2000 5.0 that had 226K miles on it and when I got there, the owner already had it running. The hood was open and I noticed that there was no coolant in the overfill reservoir and I asked him if he was sure there was coolant in the radiator and he said yes. I began looking over the rest of the vehicle while it was running and I shut off the vehicle after about 10 - 15 minutes and he went to get the title and paperwork for the sale. So I am guessing the engine ran for at least 20 - 30 minutes at idle before we shut it off the first time. The temp gauge was not out the top, a little above middle. Several times while it was running I looked underneath to see if there was any water or fluid leaking out and there was not. While he was getting the paperwork, I tried starting it back up and the battery cable was loose/broken and we got it started but it did not fire right up but we did get it started. So, everything looked pretty good and the price was fair, the body and interior were in very good condition and was planning on pulling the engine anyway and replacing it with one that I have rebuilt. I started to take it for a test drive it and it immediately stalled out. Got it restarted with jumper cables, it seemed hard to crank. Finally it started to make a dieseling noise and I shut if off. I asked him again if he was sure it had coolant and now he was not so sure. He removed the radiator cap and poured water into the radiator and you could see steam coming out from the bottom of the engine on both sides, freeze plugs blown. He said he had been filling it with water instead of coolant in the past, must have had another leak somewhere, and here we are in January and the car was not regularly driven. After this, the deal was not done but I told him I would consider purchasing it for $500 but would need a trailer and I lived 3 hours away.
So, I am still considering this purchase and my concern is that the block has been destroyed / cracked / damaged because I wanted to reuse it. Anyone ever ran an engine at idle with absolutely no coolant in it for 30 - 40 minutes until what sounded like dieseling / pre-ignition and then pour maybe 4 to 6 cups of water into the radiator? Would anyone think the block is destroyed? I do believe the engine was in good condition, for a 226K mile 5.0, prior to the overheating. Any other concerns with the cooling system completely freezing and blowing out the freeze plugs?
I went to purchase a 2000 5.0 that had 226K miles on it and when I got there, the owner already had it running. The hood was open and I noticed that there was no coolant in the overfill reservoir and I asked him if he was sure there was coolant in the radiator and he said yes. I began looking over the rest of the vehicle while it was running and I shut off the vehicle after about 10 - 15 minutes and he went to get the title and paperwork for the sale. So I am guessing the engine ran for at least 20 - 30 minutes at idle before we shut it off the first time. The temp gauge was not out the top, a little above middle. Several times while it was running I looked underneath to see if there was any water or fluid leaking out and there was not. While he was getting the paperwork, I tried starting it back up and the battery cable was loose/broken and we got it started but it did not fire right up but we did get it started. So, everything looked pretty good and the price was fair, the body and interior were in very good condition and was planning on pulling the engine anyway and replacing it with one that I have rebuilt. I started to take it for a test drive it and it immediately stalled out. Got it restarted with jumper cables, it seemed hard to crank. Finally it started to make a dieseling noise and I shut if off. I asked him again if he was sure it had coolant and now he was not so sure. He removed the radiator cap and poured water into the radiator and you could see steam coming out from the bottom of the engine on both sides, freeze plugs blown. He said he had been filling it with water instead of coolant in the past, must have had another leak somewhere, and here we are in January and the car was not regularly driven. After this, the deal was not done but I told him I would consider purchasing it for $500 but would need a trailer and I lived 3 hours away.
So, I am still considering this purchase and my concern is that the block has been destroyed / cracked / damaged because I wanted to reuse it. Anyone ever ran an engine at idle with absolutely no coolant in it for 30 - 40 minutes until what sounded like dieseling / pre-ignition and then pour maybe 4 to 6 cups of water into the radiator? Would anyone think the block is destroyed? I do believe the engine was in good condition, for a 226K mile 5.0, prior to the overheating. Any other concerns with the cooling system completely freezing and blowing out the freeze plugs?
). I repaired both, and both seem to be doing fine with no apparent indication of any permanent damage (no unexplained loss of coolant, no water in the oil, compression tests all normal, no misses or knocking or strange noises...).
