So the other day while driving home my 97 V6 (about 165,000 miles) started losing power, over heating, and had a ton of white smoke coming out the exhaust pipes.

I am pretty sure it is the Head Gasket, so my question is, first do you concur with my diagnosis?

Second while the Head Gasket is being done what else should I do? RockAuto has a kit FEL-PRO HS9262PT, should I get this or just the individual head gaskets?

Also while I am there what else should I change? I haven't ever done any major engine work on the car and don't want this to start being one of those deals where I end up having to change things every week.

Thanks.

 

Definately sounds like a head gasket.

Don't just buy an individual head gasket. You're going to need other gaskets too since you're gonna be taking off lots of stuff that should have the gaskets replaced when they're removed.

There's nothing you should need to change unless you find something that's busted or bust it while taking it off. Might want to get new plugs if they're fouled with coolant (probably, since you were probably getting coolant on them before the head gasket finally blew to where it was really bad). So really just plugs and the misc gaskets should be everything you should need.

 

cool, what would you recommend for plugs?

 

Stock oem coppers should be fine.

Even though you're a GT guy and they usually bash us, its great having you around here, always here with help with tech questions not the usual what exhaust do I get.

 

I don't mind answering a good question. I'll browse the V6 section from time to time and find mostly idiots worrying about their exhaust and CAI's, and NOBODY knows what they're talking about past that, except for like two. But when an actual tech question comes around, I'll answer it. Usually at night time, I don't tend to post at much during the day.

 

Thats what I'm saying, aside from a handful (not including myself) there aren't many people around here who know serious tech (and post on a regular basis) so its nice to have you "check-up" around here and help out.

 

With 165K on the odo you may want to consider new chain guides for your timing chain. I don't recall if the HS kit from felpro have the front engine (crank and cam) seals or if that's only the FS kit (full set) has em. It depends on the car in most cases.

 

I don't think the HS has the front seals, but the TCS45951, looks like it does and it is under 20 bucks. So I could get that along with the HS kit. Should I consider replacing the chain at all or just the guides?

Like I said I don't want to be replacing things on a weekly basis, I would rather get all the big stuff done now.

Also should I change the oil as a result of all this?

 

Yes, change the oil. When you pull the heads off, coolant will go everywhere, and end up in your oil. So change it once everything is back together and running.

Also, I don't know why people are mentioning the timing chain and guides. The 3.8 is a pushrod motor. I haven't taken apart a 3.8, but every head gasket I've done on any other pushrod motor, the front cover never had to be touched. Sounds like extra unecessary work to me.

 

Thanks for the help everyone. After talking it over with my Brother in Law and finding a 3.8 with 50,000 on it for $400, we have decided to swap the motor.

Thanks again.