instigator311

This morning the car wouldn't even start. After several tries I finally got it. The pinging has been getting worse it seems. I tried switching to another gas station, seeing as how I only used one station I figured I'd try my luck else where. So I went to a Hess, since besides the Mobil station I go to, the others in the area are really really cheap no-name gas stations. I just really want a new Mustang at this point.

tricky02GT

Did you try the injector cleaner additive? I really wouldnt reccomend switching between regular and super too often as it can screw with your computer. Also what oil are you running and when was it last changed. I only run Mobil 1 5w-20 synthetic in my toy.

PaulF

yah...me too! Well, a new to me Mustang.... '04 Competition Orange Mach 1....

If you wanna speed up the process, drive her hard at high RPM's....with all that detonation....she'll blow!

I don't recommend that though.....I'd hate to see someone kill a Mustang on purpose.

instigator311

Yet another day in paradise, tonight a whistling/whining sound that sounds exactly like a tea kettle going off starting coming from the engine on and off. Calling the dealership tomorrow to make an appointment, if it can even last that long at this point.

tricky02GT

You really need to change coolant and check hoses soon. Have engine running and spray carb cleaner on hoses, will suck right away and you will find problem. Do you have any white smoke when running?
I fear a gasket. Make sure they check it as an option at the dealership. They really dont want to change THAT gasket!!!

instigator311

There is white smoke while running, but it's cold out so that could explain it. Although, it seems to me to be way more smoke than I remember last winter. Plus a lot of water leaks out of the exhaust and muffler, way more than I would assume to be normal. I'm wonder whether all of these things tie into the pinging and pre-ignition somehow and what's causing it. Otherwise, I'm going to end up with a huge bill.

tricky02GT

Oh boy. Sounds like the head gasket is shot. If so that is going to be expensive. Second opinion anyone?

instigator311

Expensive as in over $1,000? The smoke, although a little thick at first, goes away after driving for like more than 5 minutes or so. Today though, it was like around 50 degrees and there was a significant amount of smoke this afternoon, I think that's a little abnormal. I have an appointment for Friday, and wrote a list out of stuff that's wrong, so hopefully they'll figure it all out.

Are there any other signs of a head gasket being shot that I could look for? Thanks, you guys are a really big help.

Knight

you could do a compress test on the cylinders to find if its the head gasket.

but the white smoke you are talking about is normal for cold weather with any car.

tricky02GT

[quote=instigator311;788442]Expensive as in over $1,000?quote]

Not sure on how much it would cost. Part itself is real cheap....... however the labor involved is another matter. Just dont mention head gasket on Friday or they will jump all over that at your expense.

Got my fingers crossed that it isnt bud.

instigator311

Just out of curiosity, how much water would you say is normal to be leaking out of the exhaust and muffler?

foxhtn

Sure is. Pull out your dipstick. Do you see a white substance on the dipstick? If so, that's water. Look around the top of your engine; especially where your heads are. (intake) Look down the sides of the block, and also down the back of the block where the tranny is attached. Any place where water can lie. Usually if a head gasket is leaking, you will see a green, red, or yellow substance. This is prestone or antifreeze. Usually it lies on your bellhousing at the back of your motor, in front of the firewall.

Is your car overheating slightly? Is there a slight miss in the engine? A lot of steam comes out your exhaust anyways; especially now that the weather is cooling off.; however, after your car warms up really good, that should subside. If not, and your still getting a lot of steam, after warm up, it could be a head gasket. I've even seen the back window steam up completely. If you don't find any of the above, your safe.

As for your other problem it could be a weight, or a broken belt in the tire, (feel the sidewall of the tire for lumps), a bent rim, anything. Even a broken motor mount. If you bought the car used, it might have been smashed before. Maybe that's why it keeps going through tie rod ends. That's not normal. It sounds like something is bent or out of line. I'd definately have that checked out. Good Luck!

instigator311

Thanks Merlot. I didn't see anything when I looked, and the smoke goes away after driving a bit. So hopefully it isn't the gasket.

Another thing that I noticed today. When I first start the car, the engine pings when it turns over. I wonder if it has anything to do with not being able to start the other day?

Also, is it normal for their to be a small ticking/tapping from the engine? My car had developed the same tick, but several times louder last winter and it turned out to be a factory defect with one of the cylinder holes and they replaced the engine. So do all engines have a small tick/tap normally? Or is it a problem?

tricky02GT

Ticks and tapps are regular engine sounds. How loud are they is the question? You must really love that car, either that or you are stuck with it. Sorry that you are having so many problems with it.
I just went to clean my air filter, first time since I bought the car in January. It wasnt tightened properly and when I removed there is dust/dirt in the actual intake to my HORROR. What idiot either put it on or cleaned it last never tightened it. Hopefully no damage has been caused. I will be fitting my throttle body after christmas and I hope to find nothing scary futher up the pipe.

instigator311

I do like the car, but I'm running out of patience fast. I am kind of stuck with it for the moment. I'm not sure what I am going to do just yet. I'm keeping my eyes open for an Explorer or a Ranger that's in good shape. I think that a 4 wheel drive, atleast at this stage of my life, may suit me better. I'm going to see how things go with getting the Mustang fixed this weekend, and then make my final decision.

The tick/tap sound isn't very loud, I think at this point I'm so paranoid over what damage is being done that I'm hearing every little noise. That tick is especially haunting after what the loud tick meant last winter. I'm just going to have to monitor it. Last winter the tick over about 2 weeks went from weird to bad, so it shouldn't take long if it's another problem.

That sucks about your car, I think most of my problems can be attributed to the previous owner of mine. Makes me think twice about buying a used car next time. Sometimes I think I'm better off just driving around a cheap beater, so then I won't have to care about the car.

tricky02GT

This is my first car. I could have bought a new one but I preffered the 2002 body style. I cant really complain about the previous owner (who I dont know) because the car was stock when I bought it except for the CAI which left me wide open for customisation. No problems yet and the only parts I have had to replace are the tires, but that was my own fault.
What are your primary needs? I want to sell my winter beater (2003 Escort ZX2) because my wife has just bought a new car (2007 Santa Fe) and she will be driving it all year. The Escort is just going to sit outside for most of the year because there is no way I would drive the Escort instead of the Stang and I know she is not going to give up her car (which is LOADED!!!!!) just to drive the Escort. I want it sold so I can buy a cheap truck. I do general home improvement jobs in my free time and are always having to find rides to pick up lumber, drywall, carpet etc. Now the truck would be used maybe once/twice a week and would serve as a beater in the winter.
But she wont see sense. So the Escort stays. Consider fuel consumption.

instigator311

Just so I know if the service guy tells me this again, is it normal to have pre-ignition a little bit? I'm not convinced that it is.

tricky02GT

Ask him exactly what is happening with the engine parts during pre ignition. And then ask him if his car suffers from preignition. There is excesive wear on the valves and pistons, the increased pressure is brutal over time. Lower octane, colder plugs and a good tune would help. You should ask them to retard your timing to counteract the pre ignition. This could also be resposible for the ticking/tapping.

instigator311

So my appointment went...heh. The front end turned out to be that the tires had some flat spots. They rotated them to the back and said it might still be a little bit bad, but compared to what it was like before I don't notice it so far. With the pinging though, we had a horrible rainy day and they couldn't get it to ping and said that because it was so wet out it could prevent it from doing it. They noticed a coolant leak, and replaced the "T/STAT Gasket" as the form says.

The pinging still persists, so now I have to find time to go back and show them, again. I figured since they had diagnosed it the first time then they shouldn't have needed to again, but apparantly they do. I guess my latest question would now be how much damage do you think the pinging could be doing to the engine? It happens mostly 1000-1500 RPM's, and the worst when going between 30-35 mph at those rpm's. It does it less consistantly at higher speeds and rpm's, so far. It also doesn't do it when then engine is cold. I'm just worried my new engine is going to kick the bucket because of all this.
Thanks for the help guys, as always.

instigator311

I've got a bubbling/gurgling sound coming from just in front of the dashboard after the car is shut off. I've got a lot of water leaking from the muffler, and the thermostat has been replaced 3 or 4 times. Are these symptoms of the head gasket going? Yet another problem to have them look at for the 3rd visit to the dealership to get the pinging fixed.