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[Bob S.]

Posted a similar post to buy or not to buy re this car. I checked it out again today . The car has been sitting for about a month or so. Started right up. I found it running rough. Also white smoke from the tailpipe with scent of antifreeze coming from engine compartment. I am assuming engine work including timing chain and tensioners, water pump, necessary gaskets and so on. What am I looking at dollar wise. I am about to bail out of this deal. Please help !!

[JohninFla]

Bob,

To have timing chain, tensioner and rails replaced at a shop, was $800-$1200 at Florida labor rates. A big job to remove everything in the way, then replace. Over one working day, I would expect.

Water pump is not too difficult, but still time and money. Why do you think that you need one? I do not often hear of them going bad. I think the pump itself is at least a couple of hundred bucks and maybe 4 hours labor? Removing all the belts, fan and then refilling the system.

I would be concerned over the antifreeze from the tailpipe. You are looking at an aluminum block and heads in this engine! While the 5.6l V-8 is reliable and a long lasting engine, nothing can insure against misuse or abuse. Maybe it was overheated, and warped the head or block?

Have you gotten a mechanic to check it out yet? This is your best bet! Worth every cent you spend. A compression check of the cylinders will reveal a lot.

Good luck, and let everyone know what happens!

[Bob S.]

What would be the cause of white smoke from the tailpipe ?

[JohninFla]

The white smoke....without looking at it...a guess is a blown head gasket? Anti freeze enters the cylinders through a leak from the coolant passage to the intake passage or the cylinder bore, (head to block seal).

White smoke is usually water vapor, black smoke is unburned fuel, blueish smoke is oil. My general rule of thumb. Pro's probably have better explaination.