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Joined: Apr 2004
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My '96 4 cyl contour (130,000 miles) been running like poop for about a week now...started out that the check engine light came on and the car was hard to start (engine would turn over several times before starting) and idled rough. 2 days ago it started puffing white smoke from the exhaust so its obviously burning antifreeze, yet the antifreeze is not mixing with the oil. Anyone have any ideas if this is going to be a intake or head gasket problem???? Anyone know if the contour has global problems with either of these gaskets?
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 459
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2004
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The white smoke kinda makes me suspect a head gasket. I don't think its a terribly common problem with Contours but its been known to happen a few times.
98 Mystique LS
DOB 06/97
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Head gasket, don't drive it anymore. When you turn the car off, do you hear/see bubbles coming out of the coolant reservoir? If so, definately a head gasket. You're not seeing any coolant in the oil since the leak is small and it's burning off. However, how does the underside of your oil cap look? Any white foam? If so, gasket is bad. If you drive too much you'll increase the leak amount, and then you'll warp a head, and more. I did that to my old Sunbird Turbo GT, and it died right in the dealership lot as I was trading it in... 
"Fear is the little death."
Muadib.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2003
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White smoke??
Seems like it's burning OIL to me. Do your checking on both
areas. Oily spark plugs and low oil lectures will lead to piston rings or valve caps.
Lets pray it's the head gasket, it's cheaper. Any way, good luck
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Yes, I did notice the bubble thing in the resivoir...I had a mechanic estimate that a head gasket on a contour will be $700 in labor alone! I think the old '96 is going to the junkyard... 
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,395
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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4 Cyl?! Do it yourself!!!!
Its f-in easy! 
(psst: if your gunna junk it, and you live in IL, should contribute it towards me!)
Former owner of a 1995 Ford Contour GL w/ 2.0L ATX
Proud owner of a 2005 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L V6 Vulcan 
--Looking for Commodore stuff (Drives, Units, Amiga, games, etc)If anyone has any of this laying around and wants it gone, lemme know --
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Joined: Aug 2003
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If you live anywhere near Rochester, NY i'll help you out. Or maybe replace it for you.
1999 Mystique LS V6
Alpine CDA-9807, Rear deck sub, Opt. TB, K&N RU-3530/MAF adaptor, custom heatshield, FSVT 17's, SCT 4-program chip, Eibach's/ST200's, Hella Fogs...
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Thaks for the offer 99MystiqueATX but, I live in Des Moines, IA. I have been looking through the Haynes manual for this car and the head gasket for this particular engine does seem somewhat easy to replace (as far as head gaskets go). The only part that concerns me is putting together the timing belt and cams upon reassembly. Is there anybody here that is a good resource if I have questions about the timing/cams?
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Joined: Nov 2002
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Originally posted by wilfredom:
White smoke??
Seems like it's burning OIL to me. Do your checking on both
areas. Oily spark plugs and low oil lectures will lead to piston rings or valve caps.
Lets pray it's the head gasket, it's cheaper. Any way, good luck
White smoke is coolant.....pale blue or gray smoke is oil....I know....cause my valve stem seals in my old 2.5 liter we leaking oil into the combustion chanber and everytime i would go WOT it would puff out blue or light gray smoke.
Sounds to me like a small head gasket problem.....Don;t drive it like everyone suggests....you can do further damage.
Roz
Last edited by Roz 1999 SVT-C; 04/26/04 07:39 AM.
3.0 SVT hybrid...all the fixens...Track/Race ready very soon!!!!!! 20,000 + miles
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