So my car is missing, I smell fuel, and there is white smoke coming out when I rev the engine? Any thoughts? Is replacing the head gasket easy for a novice mechanic with the right tools?? My buddy's brother would be doing the job, not me.
Before going in to replace a head gasket, I suggest you find out what the problem is. White smoke is an indication of water. Could be a head gasket and coolant (water) could be getting where it does not belong. This one can quickly become very expensive and call for an engine rebuild.
Smelling fuel is a different issue and makes me think you have two not one problem.
I suggest more research into the problem before you worry about how to fix it.
"Joseph Meehan" wrote
This happened to a Rabbit of mine a few years back. The engine was COMPLETELY destroyed as when I pulled the head all the cylinders were rust frozen because I procrastinated repairing it and let it sit for a little while. The metal in the cylinders lacking oil but with water WILL rust just about instantly. Had I realized this at the first time of trouble I would have pulled the head immediately or at least lubed it through the spark plug holes until I fixed it.
The rust was so deep in the cylinders that the engine had to be discarded.
Harry
Guessing this is a VW of some year with a VW engine. This will narrow down the advice some.
Check the oil for whitish discoloration, let us know either way if or if not discolored. Flush the entire cooling system and put new ethylene glycol. Do a compression check. What do the plugs and cap/rotor look like? If it only smokes when first started, and maybe a minute or so, maybe the valve guide seals. Does the engine run differently with the computer disconnected (mechanical injection with computer assisted firing)?
Fuel smell means the fuel is evaporating someplace. Indicating a leak to the atmosphere.
Replacing a head gasket is not a task for a novice. If that is really what is needed, make sure whoever does it knows what they are doing. Incorrectly torqued head bolts can cost you an engine.
Mechanic told me it was a dirty electricl plug and so he cleaned it and re-installed it and now my car is running like a champ again! At no charge too BTW!!
Papa wrote:
I am curious what plug, and speaking of plug, you might name the shop.
You were lucky you had an honest mechanic. For your own future financial protection, it would be wise to make yourself informed about automotive technical matters.
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