2.3L ('83-'97) Blown rings or worse

[Jtrussell1890]

So I think it's finally time to retire the little engine that couldn't. My 96 XLT Supercab has finally become the problem I don't have the means or funds to rightly fix. Today when I left for work, erratic idle just after start up. Then as I was heading down the road, no power after 3rd gear or above 45 mph. 4th gear and about 52pmh was where it started lugging real bad so I backed off the throttle and cruised to the gas station. Once there, white/ blue smoke was pouring out of the exhaust, the dipstick tube and the oil fill port on top of the valve cover. Checked the oil and no signs of fuel or water so the head gasket seems intact, but I for sure don't have compression in at least one of the cylinders. Limped it back home in 3rd gear at 30mph and drove the ex's car to work tonight. I really don't have the set up to pull the motor and see if it's rings or bearings, but my best guess is rings. I mean it's 30yrs old, well over 250k miles and was driven with a shot head gasket for at least a year before I got it. Looks like it's time to find the TDI I've been wanting to swap and get that project started. I'll figure out along the way how to find a suitable set up to do the swap I guess. Very crappy start to a day. Especially since next week is my oldest daughter's birthday and I'm supposed to be taking the girls to the NASA space center in Houston and this is my daily driver and only vehicle. FML lol

 

[bobbywalter]

cat removed already?

if its on there it may be plugging.

 

[Jtrussell1890]

cat removed already?

if its on there it may be plugging.

Cat is still on. Didn't think I could run it with out the cat due to the O2 sensors and what not.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Disconnect the exhaust before the cat (if possible)(hang it with wire) and test drive it. That should tell you...

 

[Jazzer]

Temporarily remove the pre cat O2 sensor and see if it runs better.

 

[Jtrussell1890]

If will have to be Monday before I can check into it. Working 12hr overnights all weekend. To be quite honest, it's taken all the wind out of my sails considering all the work I've put into it.

 

[Jtrussell1890]

Disconnect the exhaust before the cat (if possible)(hang it with wire) and test drive it. That should tell you...

The first connection that's behind the cat is at the manifold so I'll have to do it there. As long as I leave the only 2 hangers attached it shouldn't fall or anything. One is attached to the transmission mount I believe and the other is the rear hanger at the elbow after the muffler. Added some pics of my recent exhaust repairs to give more of a visual as to what I'm referencing with the rear hanger.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The first connection that's behind the cat is at the manifold so I'll have to do it there. As long as I leave the only 2 hangers attached it shouldn't fall or anything. One is attached to the transmission mount I believe and the other is the rear hanger at the elbow after the muffler. Added some pics of my recent exhaust repairs to give more of a visual as to what I'm referencing with the rear hanger.

Behind? You want to disconnect ahead of the cat. What Jazzer suggested would work too.

 

[Jtrussell1890]

Behind? You want to disconnect ahead of the cat. What Jazzer suggested would work too.

I meant before the cat. The exhaust goes manifold to the cat then to the muffler and then to the outlet. The first joint that would allow me to separate the cat from the system would be at the manifold. I could also try the sensor route, but I also know how easily the get seized up and can be excruciatingly difficult to remove with out causing some kind of damage to something.

 

[Jazzer]

You checked the oil for water, did you check the water for oil? or do the rubber glove test on the radiator fill? Head gaskets can blow in different ways, it’s good to check the coolant.

Also, the O2 sensors are wear items, if they haven’t been replaced in the last 100k miles they’re due.