MicVelo

OK, let's go back to Auto Shop 101.... again.

A blown head gasket doesn't always mix the coolant and oil so the absence of the milky/latte look in the radiator does NOT rule out a blown head gasket.

To test for that, there are three sure fire things to do:

1. Compression test. Even pressures within about 10-15psi is acceptable and can pretty much rule out head gasket. If deviation is greater - even on one cylinder - proceed to #2

2. Leak down test. This will show you how much pressure you're losing on every compression stroke. Results of this test dictate whether to go with the following (even though the following could actually - and recommend it is - be the first step as well).

3. Oil contamination test and plug read. Have the oil tested for contaminants. Any exhaust, blowby, water/coolant contamination will show up here. Exhaust by products and contamination in the oil are going to be present as a result of natural running but high amounts likely indicate a blown head gasket, causing the oil to be sullied and fouled by exhaust. That cylinder's spark plug will also likely be fouled.

Your car LOOKS (take that with grain of salt without actual testing) like it's blowing cooling liquid into a cylinder.

If you cannot do these simple tests yourself, suggest you take it to a competent (emphasized trait) technician familiar with the Z and have them test.

============

EDIT: Just noticed you posted DTC....

While this is a good indicator that your upstream O2 sensor (on passenger side for USDM cars) is toast (and no doubt the other upstream unit is on its way out), it's not likely that that's what's causing the smoke.

CK_32

iTrader: (1)

But if it does have milk instead of oil you sure as hell have a blown head gasket haha

But do what Mic said and you should be ok

travlee

iTrader: (8)

why are you freaking out? i spent that much just on exhaust for my z when i had it.

KingInPrime

Getting everything looked at today, & new semester starting soon, I have to buy books etc lol not really freaking out, just have to find the right person who will get it done for me for the best price if it’s a blown head gasket

Atreyu'z 350

Coolant in oil


Oil in coolant


Rust/corrosion deposits coupled with lots of hot/cold cycles. Normal. No oil present, but still needs to be flushed.

Yes, but what does your oil LOOK LIKE(as in consistency)? Remove the oil fill cap to see if there's any milky sludge. Then remove your radiator cap and look for suspended brown spots......................see anything?

KingInPrime

CK_32

iTrader: (1)

Dude clean your lense please.

These are terrible pictures for 2018... Not one is in focus or smudged.

tmdz

Not to be a contrarian but a couple things - That sludge in the oil cap is not a symptom of coolant in the oil. Its usually an indicator that the vehicle isn't reaching full operating temp (in other words its used for lots of short trips). My 06 Tacoma has that sludge in the cap but its because I've only put 21k miles on it in 9 years.

The color of the antifreeze isn't really a good way to determine if its bad these days because if you mix the red and the green - Well thats exactly the color you get. Run down to an AutoZone and get it tested. If its good to -30f you should be fine.

The pict with the oil in the coolant is the real deal however and if thats what you find - Well the phrase 'Not good very bad' comes to mind...

CK_32

iTrader: (1)

Yea and notalways does the oil collect up top.

My s13 with a blown heady looked fine until you drained the oil.. then it looked like coffee or pictured above green and brown. Deoending how much water you added.

Atreyu'z 350

Sorry, but I disagree. You're going to have that crusty residual if there's coolant/water present in the crankcase. As far as the short trip sludge theory goes; whether you drive your car 1 mile a year or 15,000 miles a year, you're going to have that sludge if there's moisture present in the crankcase. To control that inevitable moisture and impurity residual, the oil has to reach operating temperature and remain there for approximately 20 - 30 minutes on a weekly basis. On an engine that's free of any obvious mechanical issues, yes, I would say that the sludge is not coolant related. However, in the OP's case, when coupled with the symptomatic excessive white smoke, that having that sludge in the cap could point to coolant intrusion..

bealljk

iTrader: (13)

it took me a minute ... lol!!

KingInPrime

KingInPrime

The car just sits here and when I bought it, it just sat

MicVelo

Two final comments.

Get over the visual stuff. Everyone has given you suggestions - as best as one can without putting hands on it - and you've done nothing. Just take it to someone who can sniff out the problem if you're not going to dig into it.

Secondly, it's probably a good thing its sitting. You need new tires, snows or otherwise, dude.

liven Z life

iTrader: (1)

Good call! Those are sone dangerously bald tires haha. Or homemade slicks maybe? whatever the case don’t drive with those lol

tmdz

Agreed - You have a Paul Walker scenario waiting to happen on those things...

travlee

iTrader: (8)

valentines dugan?

travlee

iTrader: (8)

happens when you are a balla on a budget

CK_32

iTrader: (1)

Has more tread than my tires, I even have a couple nail mods in 2 of them

MicVelo

Very sad, dude.

But it's not even the lack of tread that concerns me.... that looks like exposed cord/belt on the inner edge!

And, while on the topic of tread depth, the sidewalls seem to indicate they're snow tires.... snow tires DEPEND on tread depth to pack the snow in for them to work effectively. Counter-intuitive, yes, but fact.