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Posted by G3Max (92 SE Auto (still out of commission) & 92 SE 5 speed) on October 04, 2002 at 10:18:43:
In Reply to: let it run for a little while and see what happens. I doubt if it's a head gasket after just sitting for a while. nm posted by Matt on October 04, 2002 at 09:33:09:
Anyway the reason why I am jumping to say that it maybe the head gasket is because I had the problem of engine oil spewing out of the dipstick guide and actually forced the dipstick out of the guide by about 3-4 inches. This happened twice, so I stopped driving her. Didn't know what was wrong with her since I am not very good at engine diagnostics but am learning. I came across a newspaper article from Click & Clack (I hope I don't get flamed) where they were asked the exact problem that I had. Their reply was that it was blow-by due to worned piston rings was causing the oil to spew out of the dipstick guide. However, they did say there is a small chance that the culprit was the PCV valve. So, I got the PCV valve replaced (bought the part from Pep Boys). Also discovered that the 90 degree elbow hose from the PCV valve to the intake manifold was busted too. Got a rather longish replacement hose , so that there would be no kink in it. I also removed the plugs and discovered that the tips of the plugs were covered in engine oil. Here I am puzzled??? Oil in the cylinders??? There had not been any black or blue smoke from the exhaust. At this point, I am thinking that I have to change out my piston rings. And if I am going to do that, I might as well do an engine rebuild. Well, as I was preparing myself for it, some gearhead friends at work told me that I should at least do a compression test to determine if I really need to perform an engine rebuild. I do know that I should also perform a leak-down test on her but I don't have access to the proper gauges and importantly an air compressor. Thanks for listening (or reading in this case)
or until the smoke clears up, which maybe never. I hope not!!!