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Pains me to write this post out but I fear the worst and I am looking to see if anyone has any good news for me.
About a month ago I took my 02 Cab in the mountains for its last spirited drive of the year before I listed it for sale. I got a cylinder 3 misfire code on my drive to Skyline Blvd. It should be noted that I replaced spark plugs and coil packs less than 3k miles ago. Not making much of the error, I cleared the code and proceeded with my mountain drive and didn't experience any further issues. Car drove well. I finally decided to list the car for sale a few weeks later. I drove the car spiritly (once it was up to temp) at highway speeds. After sitting the car wouldn't start. I tried. Eventually, on my last try, the car started for a few seconds then died. It also released a ton of smoke from the passenger tailpipe. Towed it and planning to use a borescope to take a look into the engine this weekend. Wanted to get some thoughts / advice from the community before hand.
My suspicion is there is a crack in the cylinder head. See below for hypothesis.
Smoke came out of the passenger side tailpipe which indicates an issue with the cylinders on the left bank of the engine (cylinders 1,2 and 3)
Got a misfire code a few hundred miles before this happened on cylinder 3
Coolant in Reservoir is now empty (where did the coolant go? Likely in the cylinder head)
Likely not related to any components which assist/related to starting the vehicle. I replaced the starter motor, starter cable, crankshaft position sensor, ignition coil packs and all spark plugs.
Likely not an IMS failure. LN engineering retrofit + clutch was replaced ~21,000 miles ago.
If it does not even start, that is pretty bad news. I think some serious diagnostic is required
1. Remove and inspect plugs
2. Compression test
3. Leak down test on that one low cylinder
4. Smoke test the intake side
5. Drain oil and look for bits
Then, if needed, drop engine and disassemble.
That is unfortunate you have this right before the sale. But ... it would be extremely bad for the buyer to have this right after. The finger pointing would never end.
Yeah, check oil filter housing and filter. Cut the filter in half. Scope cylinders if ya want to. Probably cracked head based on the scenario. I just did a motor swap myself. Not cheap, but definitely fun. When was list time AOS was checked as well?
Appreciate the responses - I agree with the general sentiment here and I'm glad this happened to me instead of a new buyer taking the car out for their first weekend drive and it blowing up.
Yeah, check oil filter housing and filter. Cut the filter in half. Scope cylinders if ya want to. Probably cracked head based on the scenario. I just did a motor swap myself. Not cheap, but definitely fun. When was list time AOS was checked as well?
I checked the AOS when I replaced the starter and starter cable. There was very little oil in the plenum. So don't think its related. Also AOS shouldn't affect start-up and is typically gradual (smoke on startups). Will definitely drain oil / drop oil pan on Sunday.
Not to make light of OP situation but that is the funniest **** I’ve read today.
I also laugh sometimes when I think about the $10k in profit I just lost
996 ownership is equivalent to playing the lottery. I bought this car in somewhat rough mechanical shape. I wanted to make it perfect but in that process kept it longer than I probably should have.
09-22-2021, 01:07 AM
996 Engine Failure? Looking for confirmation
