I need your opinions and expertise.

[kavinsky]

Alright guys. So, I bought a '97 M-Sport. I knew when I purchased it that it overheated and smoked. I planned on doing the cooling system and replacing fluids and just a bunch of replacement of questionable parts/systems. Now, with the cooling system disassembled, I ran into this.

It's not so much a milky/creamy color, which would indicate oil in the coolant > bad head gasket. It's very white. It's not just sludge, but in fact tiny little white crystals. At first, I thought head gasket. My father pointed out to me that it may be the result of using non-distilled water in the cooling system. I'm still not ruling out head gasket, but non-distilled water seems to be the more likely culprit.

What do you guys think? If it is just improperly mixed coolant, how do I get it out of my engine?

[campaiar]

Had it been sitting when you bought it?

I'd suggest you flush the cooling system AND change the oil. Reassemble everything and see what's what. Without good history on the vehicle, the only thing you can do is start from a good known state with the fluids and see if you get cross contamination and/or overheating.

It's certainly not a good sign, but you never know.

[98318ti]

Just another possibility, someone could have tried to stop a leak with some of that radiator stop leak stuff. I agree with Campaiar, just have to put it together and see what you have.

[Dr Shuffles]

I don't see any way that a failed head gasket could cause the white deposits. (Which, of course, doesn't guarantee that you DON'T have a failed head gasket.)

I'm with campaiar - finish the cooling system overhaul, do basic maintenance, and take it from there.

[JFMBMW318i]

It may be some type of head gasket sealant. Some head gasket sealers are water glass based and form crystals similar to that gunk you have. You are
gonna need a good flushing agent to get rid of that. Find out what is causing
the car to over heat...... Could be a fan clutch, thermostat, waterpump or radiator. Could be all of them need to be replaced. Oh and hoses.

Is there any coolant in the oil? With heavy smoking you are likely getting
Coolant in the exhaust system. Is the smoke white?

[Mopho]

Ya got a blown head gasket, possible cracks in the head. Before spending too much money rebuilding the cooling system, I would start it up and see how many cylinders have compression.
Good luck!

[jca]

Originally Posted by Mopho

Ya got a blown head gasket, possible cracks in the head. Before spending too much money rebuilding the cooling system, I would start it up and see how many cylinders have compression.
Good luck!

+1

[kavinsky]

Thanks for all your input. I replaced the cooling system and put everything back together, I'll see if it holds.

I'm a little skeptical of a blown head gasket still, as I ran the car for a decent amount of time before I dismantled it, and when I drained the coolant from the block and radiator, it was clear. No oil anywhere. I have yet to drain the oil, but I would be willing to bet that it is also coolant-free. I pulled the valve cover to do the gasket and the oil was dirty, yes, but it was definitely just oil, not a mixture of anything. Time will tell.

[JFMBMW318i]

That's a good sign that you didn't see any coolant in the valve cover. Usually
there would be some on the oil cap. Good luck! Let us know what happens.