Is my head gasket blown?

Tiny
JENNYJOLY
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 165,000 MILES
My car was losing power, and bogging down. Then the low coolant light came on and I thought that was odd because I remember a friend of mine just added antifreeze. I went to add more to the overflow, and I realized that he added old green antifreeze to dex cool. I checked the radiator, it was empty but a mud like substance lined the neck.

I assumed that was the reason it was running bad. I bought flush kit and prestone super flush. While I poured the prestone in, and let the car heat up, the engine stalled. I then tried to restart a few times, and failed. There was a strong rotten egg smell, white smoke coming out of exhaust, and water near tailpipe. I continued to flush with radiator cap off, it appeared to run clear almost immediately.

After a bit, I tried to start again, and it seemed to want to, but I think my catalytic converter is clogged severely.

I checked the oil, it didn't look out of the ordinary. I pulled a spark plug and it looked wet and maybe a bit of oil? I assumed it was wet because it was flooded.

Previously the car didn't leak oil or antifreeze. I am not sure where the antifreeze went, if it gelled up in engine, but then why would the water run clear during flush?

The car will not start still.

Any ideas or suggestions on what to do?
Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 4:55 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if okay-check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,cap and rotor,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing
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Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
JENNYJOLY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It is upper intake manifold. Do I need to replace manifold or gasket?
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 AT 4:02 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It takes 3-things for an engine to start-compression, spark and fuel something is amiss within this areas-do what I've suggested
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 AT 4:54 AM

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