Engine trouble - HELP

[kh7062]

Hi All,

I am still getting used to my 427. Today I took the car out and 3 things happened.

Water temp was above 140 c
Oil temp was above 140 c

Finally when I turned off the engine there was a little smoke (white)

Can anyone help diagnose the problem?

More background - only had the car 4 months. Low mileage. Always put in highest level of gas.

[madmaxx]

Lets see 100C is 212F, 140C = way to hot on both oil and coolant!!!!!!!!! White smoke COULD indicate water in the combustion champer caused by headgasket, intake manifold gasket, cracked head, cracked block. In otherwords anything. Check oil, is it clear or milky, is it overfilled? Check antifreeze is it green or orange, even if brown might not mean anything is wrong if someone put stop leak in there. Whose engine, I assume original smith gauges, unlikely they would both be bad.

[patrickt]

That's over 280 degrees Farhrenheit. That's really hot. Where was the white smoke coming from? Out of your side pipes or from under the hood? Are you sure it wasn't steam from a boil over? I doubt both of your gauges are broken, so I'm inclined to believe it really was that hot.

[madmaxx]

You can pull each spark plug is one of them wet with moisture, have you been adding coolant, does it need coolant now?

[kh7062]

smoke came from under the hood. Engine is roush 427r. only 4000 miles on it.

[madmaxx]

patricktt is correct I assumed white smoke from side pipe, assuming makes an ass out of u and me, LOL!!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by kh7062

smoke came from under the hood. Engine is roush 427r. only 4000 miles on it.

That was steam. I'm thinking something like a blown head gasket and a nasty boil over.

[madmaxx]

Well take back what I said, how long to get the temp that high? Is it a new engine? If so DO NOT TOUCH IT IN ANY SHAPE OR FASHION OR YOUR WARRANTY IS VOID!!! Return to dealer!!!!

ONCE AGAIN DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING JUST RETURN TO INSTALLER/DEALER.

[kh7062]

I have not added coolant or done anything since taking possession of the car.

[patrickt]

MM is right. It could be a quick gasket fix, but 4,000 miles is entirely too quick a time for a problem like that. They should fix it for you.

[kh7062]

looking at the engine there is no mess under the hood. no boil over etc

[kh7062]

if it was steam it was very minimal

[madmaxx]

If it is out of warranty the things that could get the engine that hot is stuck thermostat closed, low coolant, air in the system. When you start you see your coolant temp rise and drop pretty quick at about 80C (180F thermostat) then stabilize, if you never see it drop then thermostat is sticking. If you run 195F Thermstat it will go to about 100C and then drop to 80C in about 4 seconds it is quite obvious when the thermostat opens.

Also you fans should auto kick on at 100C, they can easily cool the temp below 100C, even in 98F Houston my fans will cycle on and off so the capacity is there. On a side note I have mine hooked in paralles, one comes on at 80C the other 100C and the temp never gets to 100C with just one running.

On the freeway they dont run at all.

[WardL]

There is a problem removing the heat out of the engine. First check the coolant level. If the level is low, add more water (after the engine has cooled down). But where did the coolant go? If the oil has any white or brown color to it, don’t start the engine and call your mechanic. Hopefully the coolant leaked out the overflow or somewhere besides the engine oil. Don’t start the engine until you have found the problem and have fixed it. The water temp should not go much over 100 C.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by kh7062

looking at the engine there is no mess under the hood. no boil over etc

Jeez, I don't know how you'd get to 280 degrees and not squirt, but once everything cools down remove your radiator cap and see if you're low on water/coolant. It was either water/coolant or oil -- those are your only two choices.

[kh7062]

also - I would say that from the exhaust the sound of misfiring a little could also be heard. it was not the smooth sound I am used to

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by kh7062

also - I would say that from the exhaust the sound of misfiring a little could also be heard. it was not the smooth sound I am used to

That could just be the result of running at 280 degrees. Something caused you to go up that high and it could be something as simple as a coolant leak, a stuck thermostat, a bad gasket... or other more serious things. First thing to do is check the coolant level.

[madmaxx]

I am telling you, if it is under warranty I would not even remove the air cleaner, you better read you warranty paperwork.

I would also suggest not telling the installer/dealer anything that can be used against you. Like, I have not checked the coolant, I have not checked the oil, just ensure levels are appropriate when you take it in. Sounds fuked up but so such is life.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

I am telling you, if it is under warranty I would not even remove the air cleaner, you better read you warranty paperwork.

I would also suggest not telling the installer/dealer anything that can be used against you. Like, I have not checked the coolant, I have not checked the oil, just ensure levels are appropriate when you take it in. Sounds fuked up but so such is life.

I'm in agreement. If you can get this looked at via warranty, that's the way to go. 280 degrees is really hot. That type of temperature has been known to warp stuff, you know.

[kh7062]

i only ran the car at that temp for less than 5 mins