possible engine problem

[MarkRHayes]

Opel GT 1972. I have an Opel 2.2 liter engine. just recently had the car at guyopel's where he had it running great. took it in to have the water pump and an exhaust problem fixed. was running great for about 4 days. after that, the engine starting rocking quite a bit and was actually rocking the car at idle. the motor has a choppy sound and same sound coming out of exhaust of course. very pronounced and now doesn't really hold the idle. a lot of exhaust smell even when the car was running during those 4 days. i checked radiator (since i just had the water pump fixed), i almost had to put a full gallon of antifreeze in and it was short about two quarts of oil. i know it's hard to diagnose over the internet but does anyone have any ideas? i'm afraid major damage was done to the motor. i didn't see any vaccuum leaks. frankly, i'm scared to death.

[wrench459]

Originally Posted by MarkRHayes Opel GT 1972. I have an Opel 2.2 liter engine. just recently had the car at guyopel's where he had it running great.

I'm sure that if guyopel tuned it..it was right.

Originally Posted by MarkRHayes took it in to have the water pump and an exhaust problem fixed. was running great for about 4 days. after that, the engine starting rocking quite a bit and was actually rocking the car at idle. the motor has a choppy sound and same sound coming out of exhaust of course. very pronounced and now doesn't really hold the idle. a lot of exhaust smell even when the car was running during those 4 days.

sounds like the manifold gasket is leaking

Originally Posted by MarkRHayes i checked radiator (since i just had the water pump fixed), i almost had to put a full gallon of antifreeze in and it was short about two quarts of oil. i know it's hard to diagnose over the internet but does anyone have any ideas? i'm afraid major damage was done to the motor. i didn't see any vaccuum leaks. frankly, i'm scared to death.

[First opel 1981]

Down two quarts of oil and a gallon of antifreeze? That doesn't make sense at all that they would be related.
You would have to have two separate sources for water and oil to get to the exhaust without them mixing.
At first I thought the bolt that goes through the water pump (on the inside) could have been leaking but that would cause water to mix with the oil.

The only thing that makes any sense to me at all is head gasket problems (or a severely cracked head). Thats the only way I can think of that oil AND water could get to the exhaust without mixing. One cylinder would get water, and another would get oil.

What do the spark plugs look like? Have you checked the compression? Does the rocking change dependent on the temperature of the engine? Are there any indications, externally, of leakage?

[MarkRHayes]

thanks to you guys for getting back to me so quickly. there are no leaks and guyopel did checks on it. i have a feeling that it is either manifold gasket or head gasket. both of these i should be able to accomplish myself. how wouldi tell if it is a cracked head?

[wrench459]

The best way to check for a cracked head or headgasket is to get a reading from a gas analyzer. If the HC moves even just a little (with the probe in close to the rad opening) its a DOA.
Or you could check for air bubbles in the rad... not a very reliable method for sure.

[MarkRHayes]

bummer, dude. i'm going to have to give guyopel a call.

[Tru-Craft]

I agree with First opel 1981.
If it's not leaking, then it's burning.
It sounds like a cracked head or bad head gasket.
Do a compression check and radiator pressure check.
Drain the oil and look for antifreeze in it.

Since it was OK before the water pump replacement.
What if a water pump bolt was too long could it crack the front cover and cause an internal leak?
Lyle

[SpringGT]

Originally Posted by MarkRHayes Opel GT 1972. I have an Opel 2.2 liter engine. just recently had the car at guyopel's where he had it running great. took it in to have the water pump and an exhaust problem fixed. was running great for about 4 days. after that, the engine starting rocking quite a bit and was actually rocking the car at idle. the motor has a choppy sound and same sound coming out of exhaust of course. very pronounced and now doesn't really hold the idle. a lot of exhaust smell even when the car was running during those 4 days. i checked radiator (since i just had the water pump fixed), i almost had to put a full gallon of antifreeze in and it was short about two quarts of oil. i know it's hard to diagnose over the internet but does anyone have any ideas? i'm afraid major damage was done to the motor. i didn't see any vaccuum leaks. frankly, i'm scared to death.

With the engine rocking and a smell of unburned fuel, you may have a misfire or no fire on one cylinder. Have you checked to see if you have a good spark at each spark plug? Checked inside the distributor cap for signs of misfire?
Bob

[MarkRHayes]

guyopel checked my spark and numerous other things. i will drain the oil and look for antifreeze and go from there. that would be the cheapest way

[guyopel]

Hi Mark ,
I just got back in town give me a call tomorrow and may be we can check this problem out .
John

[AZManta]

Originally Posted by MarkRHayes Opel GT 1972. I have an Opel 2.2 liter engine. just recently had the car at guyopel's where he had it running great. took it in to have the water pump and an exhaust problem fixed. was running great for about 4 days. after that, the engine starting rocking quite a bit and was actually rocking the car at idle. the motor has a choppy sound and same sound coming out of exhaust of course. very pronounced and now doesn't really hold the idle. a lot of exhaust smell even when the car was running during those 4 days. i checked radiator (since i just had the water pump fixed), i almost had to put a full gallon of antifreeze in and it was short about two quarts of oil. i know it's hard to diagnose over the internet but does anyone have any ideas? i'm afraid major damage was done to the motor. i didn't see any vaccuum leaks. frankly, i'm scared to death.

Is your 2.2 fuel injected? If so and they replaced the thermostat at the same time possibly they used the old style for the 1.9 carbureted Opels. If they did it would cause overheating. I've seen parts catalogs that list the old style thermostats even for the '75s

[markandson]

If it is misfiring as badly as you describe and the problem is water in a cylinder then I would think you would either see water at the tail pipes or be able to smell antifreeze at the tail pipes with the engine not running. If you had oil going into a cylinder then you should be getting smoke out the exhaust. It is very suspicious that the problem surfaced after having the oil pump done. I can't remember the exact layout of the water pump bolts and the front cover but I bet you could put a long bolt where a short bolt should be and break through the closed bottom portion which would cause water to mix into the oil. The problem with this scenario is that you would then have water in the oil and it would show on the dip stick. I'm sure you and Guy will find the problem, hopefully it is not a cracked head.

[MarkRHayes]

i've finally got a neighbor that will help me when i work on the opel (i'm way down south atlanta in jonesboro). it ended up being the fuel filter needed replaced.

[guyopel]

Thats good news Mark. Now just drive it


John