Othermusketeer
05-08-2008, 04:47 PM
Nearly everyone will want to skip to "Current problem", but for those that want boring details that are only marginally related there is "Why the maintenance neglect" and "Automobile history". From reading as guests, it would seem most forums would unleash a torrent of flames at me for not keeping up on the maintenance. (I already due that to myself) I'd imagine it won't be as immature here, but I'm sure people will think poorly of me.
Sumarized questions:
* How can I determine if there is any serious (AKA expensive) damage to the vehicle?
* While I've got all of this dismantled, what other maintenance/repairs can I do to improve the car's health or prevent future problems?
* ...should I drop the "oil pan" to inspect if the oil pump and the screened intake part (sorry for not looking up the names) are damaged/clogged?
Why the maintenance neglect (skippable):
I've been dealing with depression (with unsuccessful suicide attempts in the past) for a while now, and with a household family member causing serious financial troubles in the house (as well as other problems) it certainly isn't getting any better. In such depression I become confused and forgetful as well as having zero motivation to do things: especially the most important things in life. This is where my car comes in. Along with my hygene and health, I've been neglecting my car's maintenance. I know there are things that need my attention and I keep telling myself that I have to do it today/tomorrow/etc, but I rarely get to it.
--------------------------------------------------
Automobile history (can be skipped, but gives an idea of its early health):
A 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (sedan), 3.1L V6, Vin M. My mother purchased it in 2001 with ~37k miles from a giant dealership. Every time we took it in for the free scheduled maintenance that came with the 2 year warranty, they'd tell us that they repaired something (not covered under warranty, of course) that we knew was functioning when we brought it in. They were usually saftey or critical component that you couldn't drive without (so they "had to repair it") and you couldn't ask them to undo ("break") it and still drive home legally/functionally.
Around 2002, my mother had multiple accidents with the car, with the last one requiring a trip to the autoshop for the frontend damage (not just cometic). Unfortunately the guy was extremely crooked. Somehow, our trunk release mysteriously disappeared (the switch was no longer in the glovebox and the trunk no longer had the motor/switch). All the windows slowed then died with 6 months. A/C was warm and stopped working within months. ABS and check engine lights went on with a month. The radiator fan was cut and then "Jerry-rigged" with a heat probe and relay. I kept bugging her to either take it back to the shop or contact her insurance (the guy charged the insurance company thousands of dollars of work), but she never did, as other things were more important in her life (the insightful can add up all the clues for themselves). I couldn't take the car since it wasn't mine, and I had recently lost my license (thank you mother for removing my from your insurrance [illegal] but having me drive you everywhere). To this day, those lights remain on, since we haven't had a trustworthy place to take it to.
Shortly before the accident, I started doing the oil changes (because of their "invented extra repairs"), but it was more like every 3-5 months instead. As family problems, illnesses (myself) and later a death in the house took place, maintenance intervals from 2003-2004 became wider and wider spaced.
In late 2004, after my mother's near death and now weak health, the car became unused for the next two years. In May 2006 I regained my license and my mother gave me her car (~85k miles) as a birthday present (though sometimes she insists that its still hers ?!?). I did some maintenance on the long dormant car (filter, plugs, tires, checking the breaks, checking fluids, new battery, PCV valve [really, really nasty and jammed], driver's side window motor, etc). When I went to do the oil, I got a nasty surprise... The plug was locked on tight and the head was rounded and gnarled (apparently overtorqued by the shop that last did it when I was sick in 2004). Every garage I asked about it played dumb and said that it would require expensive work as there was no way to get the bolt off. At this time, finances were really tight. *sigh* So I had to do my own frequent partial oil changes (1-2 quarts of the 5). I wasn't happy with it, but the dishonest mechanics led me to believe that was the only option I could afford. As a note, earlier this year I was informed (*cue heavenly lights shining down from the clouds*) that there were special sockets to remove stripped bolts. I had finally managed to change the ink --- I mean oil --- completely.
With 2006 to now having stress to the point of several suicide attempts and breakdowns, the really, really, really needed oil changes still weren't hitting every 3 months (should have been every 2 weeks at that state) and any other maintenance was neglected. So you understand, my own health and hygiene was neglected (to bad consequence at times) as well. My driving was rarely for my own, but instead its my mother having me drive her to various doctors all over the county (and the adjacent ones). Despite the cars +2years of inactivity, the car just passed 100k.
Other events were me replacing an alternator that was overcharging. (That was freaky, seeing all the controlls go crazy every time that I touched the accelerator) My radiator plug mysteriously disappearing minutes after I drove from a doctor's office parking lot. (I pulled over [immediately] before it got too hot, and walked the 10 miles to the part shop and back.) My "A/C fan" also "died". I don't know if its the blower motor or the resistor (I'm guessing motor). When I had the money for it, the parts store refused to sell me anything unless I plopped the old one on the counter in front of them (for reference), despite telling them the exact item in their inventory that I wanted (and the specs of the car). *shrug* Not a problem, but a symptom. I'm not sure if the car is using 4th (OD), as the car "sounds" like its working hard (like a moderate acceleration, not like your "punching it" for a quick on ramp entry) at 60-70mph. There is no tachometer, and I normally can not hear then engine from the passenger cabin (excluding moderate and hard passing), but on the highway I can hear it. Without changing accelerator pressure (constant for +3min), it sometimes increases in RPM and accelerates for no apparent reason.
----------------------------------------------
Start of the Current problem(skippable):
The car just recently started getting "full" oil changes after a period of not so frequent partials (greedy mechanics kept saying there was no way to remove a rounded oil plug with expensive repair/replacements). About 8 weeks ago, a couple days after a change, I noticed yellow spots and smears on the oil dip stick. I didn't know about coolant in oil and what it looked like, so I thought it was some old caked on residues being loosened by the detergents that are supposedly in the oil. I decided to change the oil in a week or two since it was getting "dirty" so quick. Well, due to problems, I didn't get around to it. Within a week, I noticed the temp running a little high. Its normally at or below 1/2, and it was a tad above that (still below 2/3 and way below 3/4). After idling with the hood up, I noticed that the fan was turning on at 1/2 like usual, but rather at the slightly higher hot point. You should realise that the fan was "Jerry-rigged" by an autoshop to run on a heat probe and an "adjustable-trigger" relay. I turned the fan up a bit and everything seemed to be fine for a while. Every 6-10 days it would start running up to 3/4 and the overflow would be low/empty. Pulling over, adding to the overflow and allowing the engine to cool (while off) would usually correct the problem and I could continue driving without a problem. I kept telling myself to leak test the radiator and consider replacing the termostat, but I never got to it :(.
In the 6 weeks since the first "flecks of yellow" were seen, it happened a few times. But then on that 6th week, it suddenly went from normal 1/2 to very hot (near, but not at the top/max). Instead of finding a safe place to pull over, I immediately pulled the car over (luckily there was a commercial back alley there) and shut it off. There was not steaming thankfully, but the overflow was again empty. I had a gallon of bottled water with me, and filled the overflow. I waited 15-20 min (normal than the 10min in the past) before checking the temp gauge (on but not cranked). Even though the water had not circulated yet (it was off for one thing), the temp was down to 1/4. My family members were worried about their appointment, so I proceeded cautiously/gently onto the appointment (~10 miles round trip). Everything seemed fine, but I had a strong feeling that something was different this time.
Nearly home, as we stopped at Walgreens, the engine sounded "funny" as I parked the car. I felt a little sick; not just because of stressed induced IBS, but because it seemed to be an ominous foreshadowing. Glancing at the temp gauge it was little hot, but not much (short of 3/4). I topped off the the low, but not empty overflow and waited for my family to exit Walgreens. They didn't want to wait for me to tend to the car, so they they had gone in themselves... They came out +45min later, allowing the car plenty of time to cool. *sigh* Trying to start the car, I became very worried when it didn't want to turn over at first. (sounded like when a carburetor engine has a carburetor that is really dirty and clogged) Eventually getting it started, the RPM was erratic (normal to stalling speed). After a minute it settled down but still "didn't sound like itself". Since I was a mile or less from home and could not afford a tow truck, I gently/cautiously drove it home by the backstreets (residential). After letting it rest for an hour at home I popped the hood. There was still water, but there was massive amounts of the yellow stuff under the oil cap, on the PCV valve, and ... visible on the inside walls of the valve cover were caked on globs of the stuff as well. I immediately closed everything up and went online to research the problem.
Current problem:
With huge amounts of coolant sludge in the oil and disappearing coolant, and the unleaded vehicle not having an oil cooler, it comes down to blown head gasket (please, please, please be the problem) or a cracked head (I guess I would save on insurance bills).
I've replaced smaller things, alternators, brakes, water pumps, A/C compressors, window lift motors, etc. As long as I have instructions I don't have a problem (even if I work slowly and continually worry about the worst case). I can not afford to pay a (often proven as crooked [see above]) mechanic in the area.
The car has never pinged or knocked in its lifetime. The car has never overheated to steaming. Even when the radiator dumped out on the road several months ago, the vehicle was stopped before it hit "H". Before this, the car would run a little rough and noisy when first started (for 5 seconds to 2 minutes, depending how long it takes for the temp gauge to start moving), but not the noises usually associated with long term problems. When the car was idling crazy, I didn't pay attention if it was pinging. I'll have to listen when I eventually start it up.
How can I determine if there is any serious (AKA expensive) damage to the vehicle? If the unfortunate situation is that there is serious damage, it would be best to know before I use $150 worth of gaskets and fluids. I would not be able to afford mechanic work or +$400 parts. I imagine some checks/test would require running the engine, so I have not drained the oil or opened the engine (breaking the old gaskets in the process). I'm still in info gathering mode.
The car was not given proper maintenance schedule (really neglected at times) in the past couple years, and never had that great of fuel economy (Excluding the first few years in 2001-2002). While I've got all of this dismantled, what other maintenance/repairs can I do to improve the car's health or prevent future problems? (I already plan on changing oil, oil filter, plugs, plug cables, air filter, and PCV valve [I already have all of these])
There valve cover is PACKED with coolant sludge, and it had lousy maintenance the past couple years. This is already becoming more expensive than I can afford within a month, but should I drop the "oil pan" to inspect if the oil pump and the screened intake part (sorry for not looking up the names) are damaged/clogged? If they are, it would mean having the car sit for another month until I could afford the extra parts. I'll have to check the guides to see if I can even access that area without removing the engine. I hear some vehicles need to have their engines lifted first..
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Due to a family member's (household member's) ongoing actions I doubt I'll even have enough money to buy food for us (mother, sister, and myself), let alone afford the ~$150 for gaskets and fluids. I will apparently not be able to afford repairs until next month. I've heard about acids, formed by coolant sludge in the oil, damaging the bearings in parts of the engine. Would draining the oil (and leaving it empty until I can start repairs next month) be enough to prevent further damage?
Sorry about the length. I tried breaking it down, so you could read as little or as much detail as you want. I don't know if any of the little auto history details are relevant or not, for one thing. I hate incomplete information, so I tend to overexplain... Sorry.
Sumarized questions:
* How can I determine if there is any serious (AKA expensive) damage to the vehicle?
* While I've got all of this dismantled, what other maintenance/repairs can I do to improve the car's health or prevent future problems?
* ...should I drop the "oil pan" to inspect if the oil pump and the screened intake part (sorry for not looking up the names) are damaged/clogged?
Why the maintenance neglect (skippable):
I've been dealing with depression (with unsuccessful suicide attempts in the past) for a while now, and with a household family member causing serious financial troubles in the house (as well as other problems) it certainly isn't getting any better. In such depression I become confused and forgetful as well as having zero motivation to do things: especially the most important things in life. This is where my car comes in. Along with my hygene and health, I've been neglecting my car's maintenance. I know there are things that need my attention and I keep telling myself that I have to do it today/tomorrow/etc, but I rarely get to it.
--------------------------------------------------
Automobile history (can be skipped, but gives an idea of its early health):
A 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (sedan), 3.1L V6, Vin M. My mother purchased it in 2001 with ~37k miles from a giant dealership. Every time we took it in for the free scheduled maintenance that came with the 2 year warranty, they'd tell us that they repaired something (not covered under warranty, of course) that we knew was functioning when we brought it in. They were usually saftey or critical component that you couldn't drive without (so they "had to repair it") and you couldn't ask them to undo ("break") it and still drive home legally/functionally.
Around 2002, my mother had multiple accidents with the car, with the last one requiring a trip to the autoshop for the frontend damage (not just cometic). Unfortunately the guy was extremely crooked. Somehow, our trunk release mysteriously disappeared (the switch was no longer in the glovebox and the trunk no longer had the motor/switch). All the windows slowed then died with 6 months. A/C was warm and stopped working within months. ABS and check engine lights went on with a month. The radiator fan was cut and then "Jerry-rigged" with a heat probe and relay. I kept bugging her to either take it back to the shop or contact her insurance (the guy charged the insurance company thousands of dollars of work), but she never did, as other things were more important in her life (the insightful can add up all the clues for themselves). I couldn't take the car since it wasn't mine, and I had recently lost my license (thank you mother for removing my from your insurrance [illegal] but having me drive you everywhere). To this day, those lights remain on, since we haven't had a trustworthy place to take it to.
Shortly before the accident, I started doing the oil changes (because of their "invented extra repairs"), but it was more like every 3-5 months instead. As family problems, illnesses (myself) and later a death in the house took place, maintenance intervals from 2003-2004 became wider and wider spaced.
In late 2004, after my mother's near death and now weak health, the car became unused for the next two years. In May 2006 I regained my license and my mother gave me her car (~85k miles) as a birthday present (though sometimes she insists that its still hers ?!?). I did some maintenance on the long dormant car (filter, plugs, tires, checking the breaks, checking fluids, new battery, PCV valve [really, really nasty and jammed], driver's side window motor, etc). When I went to do the oil, I got a nasty surprise... The plug was locked on tight and the head was rounded and gnarled (apparently overtorqued by the shop that last did it when I was sick in 2004). Every garage I asked about it played dumb and said that it would require expensive work as there was no way to get the bolt off. At this time, finances were really tight. *sigh* So I had to do my own frequent partial oil changes (1-2 quarts of the 5). I wasn't happy with it, but the dishonest mechanics led me to believe that was the only option I could afford. As a note, earlier this year I was informed (*cue heavenly lights shining down from the clouds*) that there were special sockets to remove stripped bolts. I had finally managed to change the ink --- I mean oil --- completely.
With 2006 to now having stress to the point of several suicide attempts and breakdowns, the really, really, really needed oil changes still weren't hitting every 3 months (should have been every 2 weeks at that state) and any other maintenance was neglected. So you understand, my own health and hygiene was neglected (to bad consequence at times) as well. My driving was rarely for my own, but instead its my mother having me drive her to various doctors all over the county (and the adjacent ones). Despite the cars +2years of inactivity, the car just passed 100k.
Other events were me replacing an alternator that was overcharging. (That was freaky, seeing all the controlls go crazy every time that I touched the accelerator) My radiator plug mysteriously disappearing minutes after I drove from a doctor's office parking lot. (I pulled over [immediately] before it got too hot, and walked the 10 miles to the part shop and back.) My "A/C fan" also "died". I don't know if its the blower motor or the resistor (I'm guessing motor). When I had the money for it, the parts store refused to sell me anything unless I plopped the old one on the counter in front of them (for reference), despite telling them the exact item in their inventory that I wanted (and the specs of the car). *shrug* Not a problem, but a symptom. I'm not sure if the car is using 4th (OD), as the car "sounds" like its working hard (like a moderate acceleration, not like your "punching it" for a quick on ramp entry) at 60-70mph. There is no tachometer, and I normally can not hear then engine from the passenger cabin (excluding moderate and hard passing), but on the highway I can hear it. Without changing accelerator pressure (constant for +3min), it sometimes increases in RPM and accelerates for no apparent reason.
----------------------------------------------
Start of the Current problem(skippable):
The car just recently started getting "full" oil changes after a period of not so frequent partials (greedy mechanics kept saying there was no way to remove a rounded oil plug with expensive repair/replacements). About 8 weeks ago, a couple days after a change, I noticed yellow spots and smears on the oil dip stick. I didn't know about coolant in oil and what it looked like, so I thought it was some old caked on residues being loosened by the detergents that are supposedly in the oil. I decided to change the oil in a week or two since it was getting "dirty" so quick. Well, due to problems, I didn't get around to it. Within a week, I noticed the temp running a little high. Its normally at or below 1/2, and it was a tad above that (still below 2/3 and way below 3/4). After idling with the hood up, I noticed that the fan was turning on at 1/2 like usual, but rather at the slightly higher hot point. You should realise that the fan was "Jerry-rigged" by an autoshop to run on a heat probe and an "adjustable-trigger" relay. I turned the fan up a bit and everything seemed to be fine for a while. Every 6-10 days it would start running up to 3/4 and the overflow would be low/empty. Pulling over, adding to the overflow and allowing the engine to cool (while off) would usually correct the problem and I could continue driving without a problem. I kept telling myself to leak test the radiator and consider replacing the termostat, but I never got to it :(.
In the 6 weeks since the first "flecks of yellow" were seen, it happened a few times. But then on that 6th week, it suddenly went from normal 1/2 to very hot (near, but not at the top/max). Instead of finding a safe place to pull over, I immediately pulled the car over (luckily there was a commercial back alley there) and shut it off. There was not steaming thankfully, but the overflow was again empty. I had a gallon of bottled water with me, and filled the overflow. I waited 15-20 min (normal than the 10min in the past) before checking the temp gauge (on but not cranked). Even though the water had not circulated yet (it was off for one thing), the temp was down to 1/4. My family members were worried about their appointment, so I proceeded cautiously/gently onto the appointment (~10 miles round trip). Everything seemed fine, but I had a strong feeling that something was different this time.
Nearly home, as we stopped at Walgreens, the engine sounded "funny" as I parked the car. I felt a little sick; not just because of stressed induced IBS, but because it seemed to be an ominous foreshadowing. Glancing at the temp gauge it was little hot, but not much (short of 3/4). I topped off the the low, but not empty overflow and waited for my family to exit Walgreens. They didn't want to wait for me to tend to the car, so they they had gone in themselves... They came out +45min later, allowing the car plenty of time to cool. *sigh* Trying to start the car, I became very worried when it didn't want to turn over at first. (sounded like when a carburetor engine has a carburetor that is really dirty and clogged) Eventually getting it started, the RPM was erratic (normal to stalling speed). After a minute it settled down but still "didn't sound like itself". Since I was a mile or less from home and could not afford a tow truck, I gently/cautiously drove it home by the backstreets (residential). After letting it rest for an hour at home I popped the hood. There was still water, but there was massive amounts of the yellow stuff under the oil cap, on the PCV valve, and ... visible on the inside walls of the valve cover were caked on globs of the stuff as well. I immediately closed everything up and went online to research the problem.
Current problem:
With huge amounts of coolant sludge in the oil and disappearing coolant, and the unleaded vehicle not having an oil cooler, it comes down to blown head gasket (please, please, please be the problem) or a cracked head (I guess I would save on insurance bills).
I've replaced smaller things, alternators, brakes, water pumps, A/C compressors, window lift motors, etc. As long as I have instructions I don't have a problem (even if I work slowly and continually worry about the worst case). I can not afford to pay a (often proven as crooked [see above]) mechanic in the area.
The car has never pinged or knocked in its lifetime. The car has never overheated to steaming. Even when the radiator dumped out on the road several months ago, the vehicle was stopped before it hit "H". Before this, the car would run a little rough and noisy when first started (for 5 seconds to 2 minutes, depending how long it takes for the temp gauge to start moving), but not the noises usually associated with long term problems. When the car was idling crazy, I didn't pay attention if it was pinging. I'll have to listen when I eventually start it up.
How can I determine if there is any serious (AKA expensive) damage to the vehicle? If the unfortunate situation is that there is serious damage, it would be best to know before I use $150 worth of gaskets and fluids. I would not be able to afford mechanic work or +$400 parts. I imagine some checks/test would require running the engine, so I have not drained the oil or opened the engine (breaking the old gaskets in the process). I'm still in info gathering mode.
The car was not given proper maintenance schedule (really neglected at times) in the past couple years, and never had that great of fuel economy (Excluding the first few years in 2001-2002). While I've got all of this dismantled, what other maintenance/repairs can I do to improve the car's health or prevent future problems? (I already plan on changing oil, oil filter, plugs, plug cables, air filter, and PCV valve [I already have all of these])
There valve cover is PACKED with coolant sludge, and it had lousy maintenance the past couple years. This is already becoming more expensive than I can afford within a month, but should I drop the "oil pan" to inspect if the oil pump and the screened intake part (sorry for not looking up the names) are damaged/clogged? If they are, it would mean having the car sit for another month until I could afford the extra parts. I'll have to check the guides to see if I can even access that area without removing the engine. I hear some vehicles need to have their engines lifted first..
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Due to a family member's (household member's) ongoing actions I doubt I'll even have enough money to buy food for us (mother, sister, and myself), let alone afford the ~$150 for gaskets and fluids. I will apparently not be able to afford repairs until next month. I've heard about acids, formed by coolant sludge in the oil, damaging the bearings in parts of the engine. Would draining the oil (and leaving it empty until I can start repairs next month) be enough to prevent further damage?
Sorry about the length. I tried breaking it down, so you could read as little or as much detail as you want. I don't know if any of the little auto history details are relevant or not, for one thing. I hate incomplete information, so I tend to overexplain... Sorry.