engine problems

Topic: engine problems (Read 1411 times) previous topic - next topic

engine problems

December 14, 2005, 07:44:26 AM

The cougar is a 1986 3.8 L CFI with 70,000 miles. Recently replaced valve cover gaskets.

On driver's side crankcase breathing system, I'm finding thin yellowish watery oil in plastic tube to air filter and oil filler cover. Also, the breather filter in the air cleaner is seriously discolored soon after filter replacement.

Any ideas ?

engine problems

Reply #1 – December 14, 2005, 09:48:07 AM

sounds like blow by. a long shot is the engine isnt heating up enough and the natural condensation is not burning off. do you live a cold state?

engine problem

Reply #2 – December 14, 2005, 03:27:46 PM

Live in Michigan. Car heats up and I cleaned out my cooling system recently.

engine problems

Reply #3 – December 14, 2005, 04:46:58 PM

Almost sounds like you have coolant getting into your oil. When you pull the dipstick do you have the same yellow oily residue?

engine problems

Reply #4 – December 15, 2005, 05:50:39 AM

yea, cougarse has a good question. sounds like your going to be tracking down a leak in the engine. In the tech thread is a thread about our head gaskets. Might want to pull a couple of spark plugs to check for coolant fouling. Good thing we have a snow and ice storm heading our way. where abouts in michigan you live?

engine problems

Reply #5 – December 15, 2005, 08:04:29 AM

I found my old 3.8 always had condensation inside the engine, visible on the underside of the oil cap and on the dip stick as well as in the breather tube. You might try replacing the PCV valve, but I think you'd find some of those engines just like to sweat...

engine problems

Reply #6 – December 15, 2005, 08:10:20 AM

Like he said...He lives in Michigan and with the weather lately it most likely takes the car quite some time to warm up too.

engine problems

Reply #7 – December 15, 2005, 09:04:24 AM

PCV valve has been replaced and is OK. Live in southeastern Michigan. The oil in the pan looks OK. Dipstick looks OK too. Both PCV and breather have residue. Likely water/coolant mixing with something. Notice that coolant level overtime seems to get smaller.

Please Need Help Or Ideas

Reply #8 – December 19, 2005, 08:02:18 PM

I have a 1994 mercury cougar xr7 3.8 My temp sending unit goes to hot so I check it and in the resoiver is full there is no anti freeze in the raditor so I empty the resoiver and refill my raditor I am ok for a little while and it happens again when my temp is ok I still dont get heat , I think my raditor is going all the antifreeze is going into the resoiver , I am disabled so very hard to keep doing this so please need ideas help something even a quick fix until my next check comes in , ASAP

engine problems

Reply #9 – December 19, 2005, 10:52:10 PM

Head gasket?

engine problems

Reply #10 – January 08, 2006, 04:07:29 PM

[I HAVE A 88 T-BIRD TURBO COUPE 2.3 THE VALVE THAT HOOKS UP TO THE AIR CLEANER IS MISSING ! I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S CALLED . CAN'T GET THE CAR STARTED HELP PLEASE[COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR]B][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][/COLOR][/B]

engine problems

Reply #11 – January 08, 2006, 04:08:37 PM

engine problems

Reply #12 – January 10, 2006, 06:26:03 AM

valve hooking to aircleaner sounds like an emission device, pics? I dont think it should effect starting, did you check for spark and fuel?