Blown motor or head gasket?

Tiny
ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 GEO PRIZM
  • 130,000 MILES
I have a 1994 geo prizm automatic. It blows out white smoke from the tail pipe, has overheated about three times (only drove it about twelve times since I got it) it has shut off twice from being hot, has 130,000 miles on it & blows through cooliant. Also has a loud tick. My brother says its a blown motor but my boyfriend says its a blown head gasket. What do you think? Please help me know what to do.
thank you angie
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 8:08 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So you know for sure its coolant coming out of the tail pipe?
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
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No im not sure. It only happens if im going fast, like from slow to fast. Suh as going onto the highway but when im on the highway it stops.
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 8:22 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You can rent a chemical block tester from auto zone to see if there are exhaust gases in the coolant.
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
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I dont know if this helps but my brothers said its not a tock its a knock & I do have a small exaust leak.
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 9:19 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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So is it using coolant or leaking coolant?Also is the knocking coming from the top end or bottom end?
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-1
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
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It is using cooliant, ive put almost two full bottles of cooliant so far. & My brother said bottom of the engine but he is also 100% sure its my engine is junk, so it may not be acurate. It is very loud though.
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 9:30 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If its burning coolant that is washing your rings and cylinder walls out. Also means you have a blown head gasket crqcked head etc. If the knock is in the lower end then thats a connecting rod and could damage the crank. So sounds like your brother right.
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Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 AT 1:00 AM
Tiny
ANGIEEEXHIIIX3
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Thank you for clearing that up!
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Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 AT 1:01 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome anytime.
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Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 AT 1:09 AM

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