Peanut butter on the floor... intermix?
05-26-2012, 03:22 PM
#1
Racer
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Peanut butter on the floor... intermix?
I pulled my '02 C2 out of six months of storage this morning. Runs like champ, but found lots of coolant 'spots' on the drop sheets and some "peanut butter" in one spot under the 4-5-6 bank (see photo). I've read the threads on intermix from a cracked head, but am wondering if there's anything else to consider before jumping to that conclusion?
For the past few years, I've noticed a slow coolant leak and topped up the expansion tank annually. Two years ago, it was pressure tested and appeared fine, so I changed the cap.
Last summer the tank cracked and I had it replaced, hoping that would solve the problem. I was told it was probably cracked for a while, but held up under the pressure test before because it was likely a cold test.
When I put the car into storage last fall, I noticed the coolant level was down slightly again. Figuring there's nothing to do at this point, I put it away, and pulled it out this spring.
I don't see any oil in the coolant tank, and there's no coolant intermix on the oil dipstick (will be doing oil change soon). The car hasn't had any history of leaking oil and it doesn't appear that I've lost any noticeable amount since my oil change last Spring. I get the normal occaisional smoke on startup, but nothing consistant.
So... anything to check for a simple fix before dropping the motor? Any imminent danger to the motor by driving the car?
Thanks!
Joe
For the past few years, I've noticed a slow coolant leak and topped up the expansion tank annually. Two years ago, it was pressure tested and appeared fine, so I changed the cap.
Last summer the tank cracked and I had it replaced, hoping that would solve the problem. I was told it was probably cracked for a while, but held up under the pressure test before because it was likely a cold test.
When I put the car into storage last fall, I noticed the coolant level was down slightly again. Figuring there's nothing to do at this point, I put it away, and pulled it out this spring.
I don't see any oil in the coolant tank, and there's no coolant intermix on the oil dipstick (will be doing oil change soon). The car hasn't had any history of leaking oil and it doesn't appear that I've lost any noticeable amount since my oil change last Spring. I get the normal occaisional smoke on startup, but nothing consistant.
So... anything to check for a simple fix before dropping the motor? Any imminent danger to the motor by driving the car?
Thanks!
Joe
Last edited by Lerxst; 09-16-2014 at 06:20 PM.
05-26-2012, 06:43 PM
#2
That may just be from oil and condensation mixiing. But still you really need to get the engine checked out to see what it leaking where. See the August Excellence for a good write up on water pump issues.
05-28-2012, 04:05 PM
#5
Race Director
I pulled my '02 C2 out of six months of storage this morning. Runs like champ, but found lots of coolant 'spots' on the drop sheets and some "peanut butter" in one spot under the 4-5-6 bank (see photo). I've read the threads on intermix from a cracked head, but am wondering if there's anything else to consider before jumping to that conclusion?
For the past few years, I've noticed a slow coolant leak and topped up the expansion tank annually. Two years ago, it was pressure tested and appeared fine, so I changed the cap.
Last summer the tank cracked and I had it replaced, hoping that would solve the problem. I was told it was probably cracked for a while, but held up under the pressure test before because it was likely a cold test.
When I put the car into storage last fall, I noticed the coolant level was down slightly again. Figuring there's nothing to do at this point, I put it away, and pulled it out this spring.
I don't see any oil in the coolant tank, and there's no coolant intermix on the oil dipstick (will be doing oil change soon). The car hasn't had any history of leaking oil and it doesn't appear that I've lost any noticeable amount since my oil change last Spring. I get the normal occaisional smoke on startup, but nothing consistant.
So... anything to check for a simple fix before dropping the motor? Any imminent danger to the motor by driving the car?
Thanks!
Joe
For the past few years, I've noticed a slow coolant leak and topped up the expansion tank annually. Two years ago, it was pressure tested and appeared fine, so I changed the cap.
Last summer the tank cracked and I had it replaced, hoping that would solve the problem. I was told it was probably cracked for a while, but held up under the pressure test before because it was likely a cold test.
When I put the car into storage last fall, I noticed the coolant level was down slightly again. Figuring there's nothing to do at this point, I put it away, and pulled it out this spring.
I don't see any oil in the coolant tank, and there's no coolant intermix on the oil dipstick (will be doing oil change soon). The car hasn't had any history of leaking oil and it doesn't appear that I've lost any noticeable amount since my oil change last Spring. I get the normal occaisional smoke on startup, but nothing consistant.
So... anything to check for a simple fix before dropping the motor? Any imminent danger to the motor by driving the car?
Thanks!
Joe
Regardless I'd not drive the car because the cooling system is suspect. If the system can't hold pressure the engine can suffer from localized overheating and you could lose the engine.
Best get the car to a qualified shop for professional diagnosis and repair.
Sincerely,
Macster.
06-11-2012, 06:46 PM
#7
Racer
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To bring this to a close...
Mouse damage is covered by my insurance, so I contacted my provider. I wanted to take it to the dealer, but they insisted that they had to pick it up and take it to their private compound for inspection. Nothing was found so the insurer towed it to a restoration specialist. The specialist found nothing, charged me for two hours labour and towed it to the dealer. Dealer did a pressure test... water pump. Parts arrive on Wednesday. My guess is that the coolant leaked onto the floor, the sweet smell/taste attracted the mice who then tracked it all over the place...
Mouse damage is covered by my insurance, so I contacted my provider. I wanted to take it to the dealer, but they insisted that they had to pick it up and take it to their private compound for inspection. Nothing was found so the insurer towed it to a restoration specialist. The specialist found nothing, charged me for two hours labour and towed it to the dealer. Dealer did a pressure test... water pump. Parts arrive on Wednesday. My guess is that the coolant leaked onto the floor, the sweet smell/taste attracted the mice who then tracked it all over the place...
