[zero_gravity]

as some may remember, i had my '90 cressy in for BHG. just got it back yesterday. problem is its hard to tell if it was done right!!

sounds weird i know, but its just the circumstances. firstly, my BHG was very minor. i even saw the old one and damage was not exensive. i was getting it done early because i have the money right now and i wanted to prevent any engine/bearing damage. originally, i would get steam on startup that would clear, minor oil contamination on cap only, gurgling dash and rising coolant reservoir. note that the weather was above freezing and a bit damp most of the time, so this little white cloud that was following me was NOT normal. the exaust also smelled sweet.

now that the job is done, the temperature has dropped significantly. so now just about everyone gets some white exaust. however, mine seems to be more than most but then most cars on the road burn less fuel. this time, the white does not disappear. it smells completely different but i have nothing to compare against what exaust should feel like - i've never noticed. also, i have no idea what the exaust normally looks like from this car in the cold. nothing to check against again. so am i just paranoid? i know the job was done and i think it was done well, i went over and checked up a few times. i even know that 70 ft-lbs was used on new head bolts too.

so what now? don't worry?

 

[zero_gravity]

well i was feeling a little better thinking that hey maybe its just weather, doesn't seem to behave the same


now i'm right pissed - the coolant reservoir is dry. yes DRY! it was full when i drove it away YESTERDAY! not even 100kms on it!!

i'm hoping its just air in the lines since they flushed it too....maybe hope against hope

 

[zero_gravity]

not sure, but i believe it was planing - all i know is that they cleaned it up as well

 

[zero_gravity]

interesting read.....takes me back to college a bit lol. thanks

well there may be a happy ending after all. had them look at it agian this morning and guess what? loose coolant hose. lets hope thats all it was. i also got to see it running in the shop (warm, unlike outside) and there was no steam or thick white vapour. they claim that the HG job is fine, and i suppose that would make sense. i've seen no indication that it isn't. i'll have to keep an eye on it, but lets just hope that it was a leaky hose and thats all. i seem to get all the bad luck lately

 

[zero_gravity]

pfft, who needs a catalytic

 

[zero_gravity]

lol i know, just being a smartass.

 

[zero_gravity]

so i think its all over now. the first time i went back with dropping coolant, a loose hose was found. then it continued except slower. took it back yesterday and he got his hands on the fitting to do the pressure test (didn't have one compatible, had to borrow. whatever). he found a coolant line near the bottom of the engine compartment with a faulty clamp. he said there was 'a small stream of coolant coming out' lol. so clamp replaced, should be the end of it. after that he said that the rad/coolant system held pressure wonderfully.

in the end i paid $665 CAN for the job not including what i spent on the head gasket set. sounds a little steep at first, but when you consider that includes head machining/cleaning, rad flush, new fuel filter, and a new set of head bolts from the dealer i think i did alright. i was charged under $400 for the labor and he really stuck to his original quote. now to see if it holds up. they apologized for this fiasco with coolant hoses and made it very clear that they warrent all their work for 90 days so jsut come back if anything goes wrong. i feel good all in all.

 

[zero_gravity]

wow hope that works out for you better than it did for me. hoses are dirty cheap.

i think the best part of buying a cheap car is that you can pay it off really quick. i've got the car and initial repairs for safety paid off, now i just gotta work off the HG work. the gasket set is already paid though. yay!

next up in the spring i'm going to start learning this mechanics crap. start with oil, tranmission fluid and rear axle oil changes. nice and easy. also, i'll probably need new plugs and new wires by then too. then i've gotta figure out what the hell to do with the rust...