Hey all,
This may be a bit too general and I'm sure with a lot more sifting I could dig up information that's relevant, but cruising forums can be quite irritating. So that's my disclaimer, and here's my question(s)...
I have about 140K miles on my 2002 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2L OHV and it's not making as much power as it used to.
Here's some additional facts:
-Exhaust is broken at the flex pipe (got rear ended awhile back)
-Wires and plugs were recently replaced
-When I changed the plugs, I found some coolant in the cylinder...not sure what to make of that as I'm a newbie
-There is definitely a coolant leak (slow) because I have to top off the reservoir from time to time.
-There may be a small oil leak somewhere but I'm not certain
-I've been doing regular oil changes etc.
-The rest of the engine has received little to no maintenance as far as I know
Basically, I'm looking for any pointers based on what we know (the above listed information) and other "common" problems experienced with this engine along with solutions. Also, what cost-effective ways are there to get the car back up to speed (no pun intended), that is, sensors, some of the cheaper mechanical parts, etc.
I know this is a VERY broad spectrum of topics lumped into one post, but I'm just looking to get my old engine running like it used to. Thanks in advance for any help!
AznPersuazn
Coolant in the cylinder is definitely not a good sign...any odd color or smell to the exhaust?Best case scenario is some unseen external coolant link that just happens to be landing on the plug and somehow seeping thru......<highly unlikely tho> next in line of severity/cost to repair would probably be headgasket failure allowing the coolant in <quite possible>....worst case would be either a crack in the head or block <possible...(>
Is there any coolant in the oil at all? Would look like some chocolate milk you really wouldnt wanna drink.
The exhaust leak may also be causing the power loss i think as well but more so the coolant in cylinder. Definitely want to be getting that addressed first
Geez.....you have to keep adding coolant, and there was coolant is your cylinder. I guess you dont have to look to hard to find your leak.
Your headgakset is blown. Your power loss is because atleast one cylinder is low on compression.
At that mileage it is best to replace the engine.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Change the head gasket and fix the exhaust and problem solved. Changing a head gasket on a 2200 is actually fairly easy. Changing the engine isn't so much a difficult task as it sounds, but unless you have the stuff to do it, the head gasket is by far the cheaper, easier, and possibly more effective method.
Rob wrote:At that mileage it is best to replace the engine.
I wouldn't go that far since he's a newbie.
Track down any leaks first thing. If you think there is an oil leak, take the time and actually find it.
If the bottom end is fine, I'd grab a headgasket set and replace everything at the same time.
I found a low mileage engine for just that reason. All I had to do was put my ported and polished head on the low mileage bottom end and reinstall. Of course, I did other things for a mild build but you're not going for that.
