Major Damage to my '92 - Engine troubles

[weebo]

This evening started out good enough...headed to Lexington to spend the night with my girl and our new puppy (actually I was suppose to puppysit while she was at work.)

About 20 minutes into my drive, the temp. began to rise. Usual temp. is below the N in normal cause of my JET Thermostat. Ok, temp is now just above the L and I'm getting concerned. I think, ok, the radiator is just a little low and I'll stop at this gas station in about two miles. All of the sudden, the temp. goes way past "H" then the engine (although still running) loses 99% of power. Lurching, pinging, knocking, rattling, and many more noises all began at once. Radiator overheating and steam going everywhere. This all took place in about 10 seconds....and then I got the ex off the road and began to wonder what just happened.

So, I let it cool for a little bit, checked the oil (was perfect), crawled underneath and the only antifreeze was to be found. Then out of curiousity, I tried to start it, just quickly hitting the ignition, and although it turned over there's no way it was starting.

So, I call a towing company and they show up in 45 minutes...we load it and bring it home.

I figure the engine is gone, considering it has over 276,300 miles on it. BUT, maybe some of you have some ideas for me to check before junking it. My only clue would be the timing belt, but that wouldn't have caused such a significant rise in temp. would it?

It was funny though, this guy came out of his house to offer me water or a phone and offered me $1,200.00 for it and just wheel it up in his driveway. I've got his number and am thinking about maybe telling him $1,500.

Oh, and the girlfriend was slightly upset that our 6 wk old pomeranian had to spend 6 hours alone. Oh well, he survived.

Randy
email me
aim: rhammond1022

 

[weebo]

Oh, I almost forgot...I'd be much more upset if I wasn't getting the '97 I bought over Christmas in a week or two.

I wanted to see the '92 hit 300,000 miles though!!!

 

[EliteConcept]

that sucks!!!....i can't think of what would cause that to happen...


if you would consider parting it out i might be intrested in buyin running boards if they were all black...if yours had them and was a 4 door.

later,
ryan

 

[rwest!]

I went thru the same thing!

Sounds like something I went thru back in December! One weekend I had an oil change done (why did I have THAT done?) and that's when my problems started...two days later I drove 30 miles to work, soon as shut off the truck, antifreeze gushed out. I thought I could make it home to my mechanic's shop which is 2 minutes from my house...got stuck on the highway on the way home, got it towed...now a month later and I put out $1700 and I have another motor....two of the heads were badly cracked/damaged on the truck and I'd say you're looking at the same thing....hopefully the engine can be rebuilt if the entire block isn't messed up, if not, you're looking at getting another engine.....

 

[Ross-N-Chicago]

sounds like a blown head gasket. i had same thing happen to me.

 

[Horizon200]

Head Gasket. Same thing on a Pontiac Sunbird my sone drove. Same thing on a Ford Windstar a freind had. I fixed my son's for a couple hundred $$ (Included new cam Timing belt Water pump Etc Etc basically a new top end) He spent over $600 at an engine shop. Labor will kill ya!

 

[Triton46]

If there was a blown head gasket, wouldn't he have had water in the oil?

How much fluid in the reservoir? Any leaks? Any smoke?

 

[jsdean]

sounds like head gasket maybe, SELL IT!!! if it's got that many miles on it 1200 is a good deal (for you) especially since it's not in running condition, once again, sell it.

 

[KMac]

Get the $1500 out of it from that guy if you can then spend $90 on a KKM for the new '97. Then $225 on a cat-back and about $1,000 on a stereo system. Then surprise the girlfriend with a new "Dressed to Kill" low-cut dress and a night out on the town.

If you only get $1200, .........oh well............ she wasn't expecting it anyway!