Big Issue - Coolant in the Valley

XJoshua · 03-10-2009, 12:30 AM

Alright well lately the car has been bucking around 1500-2000 rpms in every gear. Now it does it in all the time, really bad, feels like im riding a bull. So I figured it might be a ignition problem. Pulled the spark plug wire and found the spark plug burried in coolant and a cm of water in the valley.

Now I know why its bucking, but dont know why the coolant is there.

Any ideas? Also have been getting CEL when it bucks, then goes away, havent pulled codes yet since a cold front just hit us and it got considerably cold outside.

Here's a pick of the spark plug valley.

I dont think its a headgasket thing, since its no were near the valley. The valve cover seals are good on the valley side, but bad on the outside side which will be replaced when I change the valve stem seals.

So please lay on the suggestions.

Maticuno · 03-10-2009, 01:36 AM

The CEL is probably related to the submerged plugs. Is there coolant in both sides of the valley or just the one half (there is a divider between the 1,2 and 3,4 side). Just out of curiosity, what plug number is that?

XJoshua · 03-10-2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maticuno

The CEL is probably related to the submerged plugs. Is there coolant in both sides of the valley or just the one half (there is a divider between the 1,2 and 3,4 side). Just out of curiosity, what plug number is that?

The the driver side plug (#4 I think). But it is on both sides, all plugs 1-4.

Whats under the 1/4" socket bolts? Is is just oil, or coolant. Im thinking if its coolant its leaking from there. Because my Cressida needed the gaskets replaced, but I think it was oil under them.

Jackstand Queen · 03-10-2009, 08:24 PM

Seems like the coolant jacket plugs in the spark plug valley are likely to be the source of the coolant. Otherwise, a cracked head may be the cause. I'm placing my bets on the plugs. In the normal course of ownership, these plugs are never removed, or serviced even if the head is pulled off the block.

XJoshua · 03-11-2009, 01:17 AM

Well I cleaned everything off and pulled the service plugs with my Big Bertha Breaker Bar, and RTV'd them, and torqued back in. Well a couple hours later. Valve cover gasket failure. So I pulled everything off again, and cleaned. And no gaskets available in souther colorado. So they are on rush delivery and should arrive in hours. After having everything off, I said hell Im replacing the valve stem oil seals thursday, and just cleaned it up and started prepping for thursday.

While I was at it I converted to a white top head.

Only took 30 minutes.

Supplies:
HiTemp Glossy White Paint
Engine Brite - Heavy Duty
Wire brush
Soap
Water

Total Cost of Conversion: $8ish

Fubba · 03-11-2009, 02:39 AM

You are having worse luck with your car than I have with mine. Good luck getting it fixed. And I heard the head gasket is a bitch to replace, or is that just on the 5s?

03-10-2009, 12:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
XJoshua No Skills Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pueblo, CO; USA Posts: 40 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Big Issue - Coolant in the Valley Alright well lately the car has been bucking around 1500-2000 rpms in every gear. Now it does it in all the time, really bad, feels like im riding a bull. So I figured it might be a ignition problem. Pulled the spark plug wire and found the spark plug burried in coolant and a cm of water in the valley. Now I know why its bucking, but dont know why the coolant is there. Any ideas? Also have been getting CEL when it bucks, then goes away, havent pulled codes yet since a cold front just hit us and it got considerably cold outside. Here's a pick of the spark plug valley. I dont think its a headgasket thing, since its no were near the valley. The valve cover seals are good on the valley side, but bad on the outside side which will be replaced when I change the valve stem seals. So please lay on the suggestions.

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03-10-2009, 01:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Maticuno Park Ranging Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Deserts Posts: 313 Thanks: 15 Thanked 25 Times in 17 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	The CEL is probably related to the submerged plugs. Is there coolant in both sides of the valley or just the one half (there is a divider between the 1,2 and 3,4 side). Just out of curiosity, what plug number is that?

03-10-2009, 08:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jackstand Queen Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 840 Thanks: 75 Thanked 64 Times in 60 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Seems like the coolant jacket plugs in the spark plug valley are likely to be the source of the coolant. Otherwise, a cracked head may be the cause. I'm placing my bets on the plugs. In the normal course of ownership, these plugs are never removed, or serviced even if the head is pulled off the block.

03-11-2009, 01:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
XJoshua No Skills Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pueblo, CO; USA Posts: 40 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Well I cleaned everything off and pulled the service plugs with my Big Bertha Breaker Bar, and RTV'd them, and torqued back in. Well a couple hours later. Valve cover gasket failure. So I pulled everything off again, and cleaned. And no gaskets available in souther colorado. So they are on rush delivery and should arrive in hours. After having everything off, I said hell Im replacing the valve stem oil seals thursday, and just cleaned it up and started prepping for thursday. While I was at it I converted to a white top head. Only took 30 minutes. Supplies: HiTemp Glossy White Paint Engine Brite - Heavy Duty Wire brush Soap Water Total Cost of Conversion: $8ish

03-11-2009, 02:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
Fubba Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 170 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	You are having worse luck with your car than I have with mine. Good luck getting it fixed. And I heard the head gasket is a bitch to replace, or is that just on the 5s?