1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Yesterday, I changed out the remaining three coolant hoses that had not been replaced on my 1989 900S with about 190,000 miles on it.
It had been blowing hoses left and right, so I just figured it was because they were old. I also replaced the thermostat about 3-4 weeks ago.
Well, as I pulled into work this morning, the car started shuttering erratically. I backed into my parking place, got out and noticed a trail of coolant from my parking place to the main road. I popped the hood, and noticed there was coolant in the engine bay.
I squeezed on all the hoses I could get to, thinking maybe I didn't get one tightened down good, but noticed that the reservoir was overflowing - bubbling and hissing like crazy. The car was just starting to approach the half way mark on the temp gage when it started shuttering - on the way to work, it was in the "normal" 1/4 position on the gage.
At lunch, I went out, drove the car around the plant, and noticed something right away: hardly any power at all, and when I did give it gas, white smoke puffed out of the exhaust. I parked it, left it running, popped the hood, and noticed no leaking coolant, but the engine was running very rough AND the reservior was bubbling/hissing like crazy, with pressure building up very fast. White smoke was still puffing out of the exhaust and after 5-6 minutes, drops of water was dripping out....
I would assume this is a blown head gasket? I also would assume that it has lost compression (lack of power) due to this. Likewise, I would assume that the pressure seeping into the coolant lines was the root cause of my hoses being blown, and when I replaced them all, the pressure built up so much that the gasket blew.
What do you think? The oil seemed to be a little thin looking, though it wasn't white and foamy like some people say it is when coolant seeps in.
thanks for any help/adice,
Rob Catron
'89 900S
'99 Viggen
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