97 Mercury Tracer

[Gatores]

My son was driving home the temp gauge was up to the red line.

The hot air turned to cold air. The car stopped running, when he lifted the hood it was smoking by the radiator. We know his radiator is cracked and he lost his anti-freeze. Now the car won't start but turns over. Does anyone have an idea what might be wrong? Blown head gasket?

Thanks you for your help!!

[Jeremy airjer W]

If he drove it until it stalled its cooked. You can take off the oil cap and take a wiff. If it smells really bad your probably looking at replacing the motor.

[zamboni]

Is that a cracked block or head, Airjer?

[Jeremy airjer W]

That is an engine that has run to hot for to long. If it stalled than just about everything is cooked. Rings, cylinder walls, bearings, you name it. The worst thing you can do to a motor is run it out of oil or overheat it.

It probably will not be worth investing in any type of engine repair. Even worse is what you'll find once you start digging. These usually end up being a can of worms when they get towed in like this.

The worst one we had was a later model vehicle I don't remember what it was but the total bill after replacing everything that was destroyed by running while overheating until it stalled was just a tad over $5,000 (five thousand dollars!).

[shizzy]

I agree 100%

I just looked up KBB on that car. even in excellent shape its only worth about $1000.

sounds like time to look for another beater.

[Gatores]

My 19 year old son and his back yard mechanic friend that knows it all are attempting to fix this. They bought a new radiator and 20 dollar head gasket. What are the odds of it running again. I told them what airjer posted, but they are wanting to try.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Its good experience!

Make sure they change the oil!! It wouldn't hurt to replace the t-stat as well. They'll know what there up against when the head is off. Take some pics of the cylinder walls ant let us take a peak.

[Scott K]

If the engine oil smells burnt, they are just waisting there time!

[deadeye]

Ya about the worst thing that will happen is that they get it apart to find a mess. He can always return the parts if its totally shot. Should be interesting to see what it looks like. If it turns over there may be a chance it could be brought back to life. Maybe.

[Scott K]

If the engine still doesnt turn over, remove the spark plugs and see if coolant gooshes out and it turns over, if not, dont waste your time pulling the head off, the crank bearings are probably welded together.