36 replies to this topic

[koulbreeze]

wt....?!?! what u mean blown? a used block on ebays like $350
that 2.6l engine is pretty common

Edited by koulbreeze, 03 January 2012 - 11:27 PM.

[303starion]

Yea koul, I think it's blown... I don't know what exactly happens but it's not starting up. I wasn't driving it when this happen

[koulbreeze]

well i didnt want to say this when u sent that email but it sounded like you've been introduced to the starion monster.  These cars are WELL known for a design flaw that just about everyone on starquest experinced at one time or another.  They blow headgaskets like they're going out of style, however this is an easy fix that does take alot of elbow grease.  You can see in the mechanics section by "dad"Randy why this happens.  At any rate i bought my quest for $1000 with/ knowing that it had a blown headgasket and 3 flat tires i've replaced the headgasket and currently in the process of putting it all back together.  I paid  $59 for a headgasket kit, $26 for a new head bolt set (because they cant be reused) and $6.49 for a 180º thermostate. All from like kragen.com or advanced auto.  Once i've pulled the head it was obvious where on the gasket was the failure.  Now i have to do a bunch of oil+filter changes to remove the Chocolate milk from the engine.  Not to mention the replacement of the 2 parts that i broke while removing the head, that'll cost less than $150 (a vacuum advance module and the turbo oil return line) tomorrow i'll be working on my quest and taking some pics and posting them including the headgasket failure.  on the 17th i hopefully will be starting my car for the first time .  I have always had a saying about cars, no running car is worth less than $1000 and no non-running car is worth more than $1000.  True you might be able to make alot parting out your car but in the end you'll just be trying to figure out what to do with the last of it, 3 years down the road.
So if you want help locating and isolating the issue and/or replacing the most likely problem (headgasket) I can come over and help you out.  I have all the tools required to do the job properly only thing is I work alot and I'm not garanteed days off, in the past 36 days i've had 2 days off.   to-boot i don't know what i'm doing tomorrow until 4pm the previous day .   My days off are supposed to be tuesdays and wednesdays until the 22nd of this month when it changes to wed and thurs.  So like  I said, if you need a hand i can try to get those days off and I'll come and help you.
~Scott

[303starion]

Thanks koul, at this point I don't know what to do. And I have the story posted in the newbie intro under 88 white. I'm thinking bad head gasket too, since it was smoking before it died. But I don't know exactly the full detail yet. Where you located?

Edited by 303starion, 04 January 2012 - 05:48 AM.

[koulbreeze]

I live in aurora.  What you can do is pull the spark plugs and see if any of them are covered in oil or antifreeze.   Also check the oil dipstick and in side the valve cover for chocolate milk.  And the radiator for traces of oil.  Another fun thing to do is when u have the spark plugs out, pull the coil wire off the distributor and crank the engine,  this might get a lil dirty but atleast you'll know close to what cylinder had the failure.  Mine was the water jacket next to the #7 tightening headbolt on cyl #4 (very rear bolt on drivers side)  Since theres many combinations to what can happen with a bad headgasket one or all of these things can be true.

[303starion]

It's seized and locked up

[koulbreeze]

OH NO! remanu long block at like advanced autos about a grand.
I'd buy it off you for a grand on the 17th lol

Edited by koulbreeze, 04 January 2012 - 03:09 PM.

[infamos]

Welcome. I also saw this car on Craigslist. I took a test drive. Are you happy with the buy? The owner at that time said the engine was rebuilt with forged components.

I'm a Coloradan as well.

[303starion]

infamos, on 04 January 2012 - 05:19 PM, said:

Welcome. I also saw this car on Craigslist. I took a test drive. Are you happy with the buy? The owner at that time said the engine was rebuilt with forged components.

I'm a Coloradan as well.

It's dead.... Whoever rebuilt it didn't rebuild it right

[303starion]

koulbreeze, on 04 January 2012 - 03:07 PM, said:

OH NO! remanu long block at like advanced autos about a grand.
I'd buy it off you for a grand on the 17th lol

Haven't given up yet.

[koulbreeze]

Good man! If you need help just let me know

[303starion]

Man... I really don't know what I'm going to do. No funds for this right now...

[infamos]

303starion, on 04 January 2012 - 07:22 PM, said:

It's dead.... Whoever rebuilt it didn't rebuild it right

I just read through this whole thread. Sorry to hear the bad news. I hope you didn't pay the price the previous owner was original asking.

[303starion]

infamos, on 05 January 2012 - 07:32 PM, said:

I just read through this whole thread. Sorry to hear the bad news. I hope you didn't pay the price the previous owner was original asking.

I didn't pay, I donated. Well that's how it feels

[303starion]

Finally got to look at the car and yea it's seized. Turns out that a hose gave way and all the oil disappeared. It's he one with the copper looking clamp

[303starion]

haha

Edited by 303starion, 11 January 2012 - 02:39 PM.

[HANZ]

nice car. love the paint job