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Joined: Apr 2004
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Hey guys, I'm new here so bear with me. I have a huge question to ask you guys. My friend's dad owns an auto repair shop and one of his customers brought in a 1999 Contour V6 Sport because it was having a problem. Well they ended up leaving the Contour there, because they got a new car and they didn't feel like repairing the Contour. My friend's dad is asking only $500 for the car because there is something wrong with the engine, but he doesn't know for sure what it is yet. Today at the shop we pulled the plugs out to do a compression test and noted that there was no abnormal discolouration of the plugs... and we also noted that BOTH compression testers we had in the shop would not thread into the head of the V6, which was annoying because we couldn't do the compression test.
I think the head gasket(s) may be blown, but I would like your input on this. There is barely any coolant in the reservoir, the temp gauge instantly goes to the red area when the car is switched on, and the coolant warning light and check engine lights are both illuminated as well. The oil smells burned also.
Do you think its worth $500cad? Its a 1999 with 160,000kms and its an automatic. Should I buy the car and repair it? Thanks.
1990 Festiva
- 13.3 @ 102mph with a 1.9 60' and 155whp.
1995 Contour GL 2.5L ATX
1998 Contour SE 2.5L ATX
1998 Contour SE 2.0L MTX
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Well it depends on a number of things. How much time/money are you willing to throw into it before its not worth fixing up for yourself? It could be as bad as needing a new engine if the rod bearings went. However for $500CA you really cant complain. I bet you could part it out for a lot more than that. Also a determining factor would be how mechanically inclined are you? If you think you could handle an engine swap and are willing to attempt it and fund it you should definitely jump on it. Search around for problems that would casue these sypmtoms in the trouble shooting forum and you should get a good deal of help. Good luck, I say go for it and part it out if you give up on fixing it.
Originally posted by Chickens:
Religion can't do much for ashholes (unless you are an alterboy)
98.5 Se w/SVT mods
98 E0 SVT~ sold
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I say part it out straight to the frame and make some money off it. That is, of course, if you wanna spend the time/money and make it another 3l around here. Then ship it to me 
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 56
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Originally posted by XKontour98:
Well it depends on a number of things. How much time/money are you willing to throw into it before its not worth fixing up for yourself? It could be as bad as needing a new engine if the rod bearings went. However for $500CA you really cant complain. I bet you could part it out for a lot more than that. Also a determining factor would be how mechanically inclined are you? If you think you could handle an engine swap and are willing to attempt it and fund it you should definitely jump on it. Search around for problems that would casue these sypmtoms in the trouble shooting forum and you should get a good deal of help. Good luck, I say go for it and part it out if you give up on fixing it.
I realize it could need an entire engine. But its a 1999 so I'm willing to put a reasonable amount of money into it to get it up and running. I'll have to look farther into the problem once I get a chance... there is no noise coming from the bottom end (rod knock), which could be a good sign. I guess hooking an oil pressure gauge up to the engine would be the next step. Swapping the engine out wouldn't be a problem for me, I'm a bit apprehensive about working in that tight engine bay though... I know getting the exhaust manifolds off is going to be a nightmare.
Is there any tips you guys can give me to help diagnose a blown head gasket? I've already done some research on this forum, and I'm probably going to pull the water pump off next time I'm working on the car. If its messed up then I guess its a sure sign that the head gasket(s) went.
Also, how do you do a compression test on these things??? I couldn't get the head of the tester to thread into the cylinder head. Do you need to use some sort of extension fitting?
Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.
1990 Festiva
- 13.3 @ 102mph with a 1.9 60' and 155whp.
1995 Contour GL 2.5L ATX
1998 Contour SE 2.5L ATX
1998 Contour SE 2.0L MTX
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,456
Hard-core CEG\'er
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I bought a 2.5 Duratec Mystique with the same overheating problem, slight burned smell to the oil. The coolant light will be on until the reservoir is at max, and your coolant temp sensor has shorted from overheating, get one at the ford dealer. Check engine will stop after you disconnect battery and fix the temp gauge sender. Unplug the rubber plug behind the thermostat, so your gauge will stop pegging in the meantime. It ran well and quietly for the 1 minute test drive, so I bought it. The seller was sure it needed head gaskets. It may, but so far I changed the waterpump which had the black plastic impeller shatter into 3 pieces. Runs well and did not overheat again, and the temp gauge was stuck, it unstuck when I replaced the broken off temperature sensor right behind the thermostat. Flush the cooling system, and see how it runs with new coolant and pump, thermostat too.. Make sure the electric fan comes on about over the "m" on the temp gauge. I would Buy The Car, be sure the title goes to you. That car might be new enough to swap motors if you need to, but you probably don't. Have fun. AC Delco and NAPA make a metal impeller water pump, and the word is the white plastic ones are OK.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 56
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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I pulled the pump out tonight and as I slid the pump out of the housing, I heard something fall and hit the ground. I picked up, and it was half the impeller wheel. So I'll replace the pump, and hopefully everything will be good.
Thanks for the help guys.
1990 Festiva
- 13.3 @ 102mph with a 1.9 60' and 155whp.
1995 Contour GL 2.5L ATX
1998 Contour SE 2.5L ATX
1998 Contour SE 2.0L MTX
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 709
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
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not to jack the thread but I gotta ask you, wtf is under the hood in your festiva???? i would be afraid to drive one of those cars that fast!
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,700
Addicted CEG\'er
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Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,700 |
Yeah... I was just thinking that. Damn!!
2006 Pontiac G6 3900SFI GTP Coupe
CAI, Stainless Cat Back, Vector Tune, Strut Brace, Eibach Pro Kit, Custom Made Projector Headlights, 4300K, 20% Tint
Former Owner- 2000 "Stryped" CSVT
CEG Dragon Run- Oct 13-15
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 56
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Its a Mazda 1.6L DOHC 16v Turbo engine from a Mazda 323GT. its got about 155whp at 13psi. I'm hoping to ditch the 1.6L in the winter and swap in a 1.8L Turbo (BPT). It should be fun.
1990 Festiva
- 13.3 @ 102mph with a 1.9 60' and 155whp.
1995 Contour GL 2.5L ATX
1998 Contour SE 2.5L ATX
1998 Contour SE 2.0L MTX
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,456
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,456 |
Was the impeller black plastic? I think your Tour will be alive soon! You built a Festiva with a 1.8 turbo? I think you will find the Contour an easy project. Did you ever hear of the Festiva Shogun? Take a look....
http://www.supercars.net/garages/Dodge%20Spirit%20RT/1v2.html
It's not a dodge spirit, in spite of the link name.
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