2001 Ford Focus Engine

ORION888

MEMBER
2001 FORD FOCUS
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

My wife was on her way home, and then she stopped at the store, the car was running perfectly fine before then. But as soon as she cranked the car the car started smoking, and as she got closer to the house, which is only 2min away, the power steering went out on the car. I go and look and there is white smoke coming from underneath the hood and also made its way into the car through the air vents. I then jacked the car up and noticed that there is a leak somewhere. I can't really tell what color it is, but it smells like burnt rubber. I told her to then crank the car, I noticed more fluids from an unknown location. Then I look up at the catalytic converter, and this has brown streaks flowing down it. She then cut the car off and I could hear air coming out but I can't tell where it's coming from.I then checked the oil and the oil is, not to sound rude or unprofessional, but it is poop green. Also other information that may be needed is that I changed the oil about 3 weeks ago, as well as added new antifreeze, and now the antifreeze is completely gone.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,922 POSTS

What you're describing is typical of a leaking cylinder head gasket. That's bad enough but you want to get the coolant out of the oil as soon as possible. Antifreeze will melt the soft first layer of the engine bearings. That, along with the needed head gasket, would be cause to consider a total engine rebuild. You might want to change the oil, add no coolant, run the engine for a minute or two, then change the oil again. When you drain out four quarts, there's still about two quarts in the passages, and that will still have coolant in it. Two oil changes is usually sufficient. Your mechanic will fill the coolant after the head gasket is replaced. If it's full, it needs to be drained during the head gasket repair so it doesn't run into the oil.