Quote:
Originally Posted by mbenzer
137,695 miles
I have had to add small amounts of water to the reservoir at least twice now in the past 2 months whenever the dash light came on with no discernible/visible leakage. When I first start the car, it runs rough as I depress the accelerator 3 or 4 times with white/blue smoke coming from the exhaust. After that, it levels out and runs smooth. There is no appreciable oil consumption. I'm due for an oil change now in 3K mile intervals and it's barely down a 1/2 quart. I went through a month or so this summer running hot (about 105-110C) until I had the replacement radiator replaced. I would say that the engine never technically overheated, i.e., never redlined during that period. I detect no water in the oil on the dipstick. The right front corner of the engine is wet with oil well below the valve cover but not at the valve cover. Could this be small amounts of water seeping into the first cylinder because of a warped head? Am I headed for hydraulic lock and a bent rod?
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If it were me, I would get that head gasket replaced at the very first opportunity that I could get the work done or I would not drive the car, unless it was absolutely necessary. The coolant loss is your warning and be thankful that it is not the 86 and 87 603s, which if it were and had the original #14 cylinder head; your symptoms would indicate, PROBABLY, that you were experiencing the symptoms of a cracked head, more so, than a blown head gasket or bent rod or anything else. I would especially get that carbon off of #1 and #6 exhaust valves and get the head gasket replaced now, if ONLY for insurance purposes or for preventive maintenance. But to answer your question, YES, would be my answer. But I think you have detected the problem in time to correct the issues before they become catastrophic oil consumption issues, like in my case.
BenzDiesel