cheffrey

2002 Carrera 4s Cabriolet 57k, 1 week ago was on line at car wash; engine stalled. When I restarted engine had terrible miss; sounded like a couple pugs
(coilers were off. Got thru car wash w roving engine about 2 to 2500 revs. Then Stupidly drove home keeping the revs up
(It wouldnt idle) About 4 miles and keeping speed below 50mph. old pressure and temp was ok
When I got home and turned it off. Clouds of gray smoke from L exhaust. I noticed later small ant of coolant (pinkish color)
on garage floor. Haven't tried to start it; making arrangement to tow to independent dealer on Monday.
Question is blown head gasket or valve or piston ? Guess I'll soon find out.
OPTIONS,rebulid,replace; new or used?
Any advice would be appreciated

wildbilly32

Head gaskets typically not a failure item on these engines. Where was location of water leak on floor? Any Check engine lights? Any unusual/disturbing noises? How does water tank fluid look? Milky? What does dipstick oil look like?

808Bill

Could be a number of things, like bad coil/coils for one.
Best to have an m96 specialist look at it and don't drive (worst thing you can do) it until you find out what's wrong. To soon to panic!

cheffrey

Thanks for reply. The engine light did come on, and the coolant? under the car is far back ( going to jack it today and have
a closer look see. No unusual noise except the loud miss. the coolant looks ok,(but. temp was WNL.

cheffrey

Oil level Full and not discolored

808Bill

You need to have the codes pulled.

wildbilly32

Yep

and

Yep

In addition, location of water beneath car could be valuable guessing information.

Good Luck!

Always wanted 1

lowpue

First thing as already stated is pull the codes/

Bash Hat

Dr_Strangelove

Codes and then my money is on replacing those coils.

wildbilly32

Op said "on line". I think this means outside of the car wash when the engine died and on restart had the bad miss. Not sure if car wash water related, but the codes should tell a story.

Always wanted 1

808Bill

Coolant leak onto the coils is my wild guess...

wildbilly32

In 16 years could be most any color coolant in there! Like the Stones sang: "She comes in color..."