A few questions

[t-scene]

Ok which fuel line goes to the the fuel rail side with the Fuel presure reg. the one coming from the filter or the one thats not.

also do any festivas have good heaters mine sucks but the fan is running all the time

[kzbill]

fuel pump side goes to the filter, then the pressure regulator on the fuel rail, bottom of fuel pressure regulator (long tube going down) going back, is the return line.

[jglutz]

Heaters....I've found tstats from carquest or napa work fine....any others open way to quick. There are some recent post regarding the ford and mazda t'stats...I don't recall but I think they are hit or miss also.

[25Horseplay]

The heater in my Festiva is really hot! I have to keep it turned down.

[t-scene]

ouch!!!!! I took my T-STAT housing off and there is black goopy stuff almost like oil mixed it took the rad cap off and I saw it in there too!!!!!!
It doesnt have a distinct smell but it clots together



I drained the rad. and thats all in it ,the antifreeze dont look like antifreeze anymore.

I have the head off b/c it was smoking n im taking it to the machine shop tomr. to have new valve seals n all the good stuff done

[GenevaDirt]

Yukkkk!! Blown head gasket...hopefully you caught it in time.

[t-scene]

So I should defrently have the head presure test while its at the machine shop

[GenevaDirt]

No...you have to make sure it is not warped before you reuse it. Pressure checking would be done after it is installed to make sure there are no leaks in the cooling system. Could have been done before removal also but buy the looks of what you found you would have found it was definatly leaking.

[FB71]

Yes, have the head itself pressure checked for cracks before its milled.

Use Cascade dishwasher detergent in the cooling system to remove the gunk. Leave out the t-stat, fill with water and a dose of Cascade, start and run the engine for about 15-20min. Drain and repeat until the gunk is gone.

[GenevaDirt]

^^cool...didn't know you could pressure check a head off the car

[t-scene]

Hmmm I got a ideal......... Im missing a dowl between the head and the block... its missing the one on the pass. side the on one the driver side is there.........i guess theres only suppose to be two on the back..........but isnt that where the oil drains back into the crank case??? and if it was missing could it cus problems like just running around the gasket or what not

[FB71]

gasket provides the seal. Dowel locates the head and keeps it from 'walking'. Without the dowel, the head will 'walk around', and grind away at the gasket, allowing leaks.

[jglutz]

There are only two dowels....they allign the head gasket...keep the head gasket in place while the head is dropped straight down...and 'sort
of' prevent the head from sliding around on it. A missing dowel wouldnt cause the sludge problem. A damaged head gasket could.

Just thinking....for oil to end up in the water...the oil would have to be at higher pressure than the water...flow is always from high pressure to low pressure...the only possible place is the hi pressure port between the block and the head (between No. 2 & 3, by the oil filter)...or a crack. The majority head gasket failure result with water in the oil.

This might sound really stupid....did someone...previous owner...put oilinto the radiator?!?!?!?!?!...wouldn't be the first time.