Car jerking, losing power and shutting off?

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER
246,000 MILES
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JAMES66234
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hey, I'm a new car guy I bought this car from Facebook and recently it's been jerking while accelerating and dying while also losing power while I'm in neutral it shuts off and then sometimes struggles to crank back up. I'll add all to it and in two weeks it'll be gone. I do have white smoke that comes out the back of the exhaust and the car shakes very vigorously when accelerating. I want to figure out a problem so I can fix it. Can someone please help me?
Jun 19, 2023 at 2:29 PM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,249 POSTS
It sounds like you have blown head gasket but to be sure let's run down this guide to help confirm the issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

I would remove all of the spark plugs and put pressure to the cooling system. This guide can help, once done crank the engine over (stand back) to see if coolant shoots out of one of the cylinders.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
Jun 20, 2023 at 10:36 AM
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