Dauntless temp?

Hey guys, first post here and I am glad to have this site as a resource.

Had a new temp. gauge put in my `70 CJ5 Dauntless and it doesn't feel very hot but the gauge is reading 190 degrees!? Is this too hot!? Typically todays vehicles run about 160 degrees.

I also have white smoke coming out the tail pipe, worse with the initial engine startup after sitting overnight, but still present after warming up.

I just rebuilt the Carb, ran new fuel lines, and currently using a lawn mower gas can til I replace the tank. The engine runs great and idles smooth despite the oddfire rotation. The coolant was also completely flushed/replaced and a compression/pressure cap revealed NO loss in pressure, so there doesn't seem to be a coolant leak and the oil is absent of coolant, nice and dark brown. I would like to do a compression check for reassurance but am a little scared to pull the plugs in fear of cracking one in the head. No back firing at all and has pleny of power, just white smoke. Otherwise no overt problems that I am aware of. Any clues?

Thanks,
Matt

 

What have you been driving that runs at 160 degrees? Most modern stuff with pressurised systems run closer to 210 degrees than 160 at operating temps. 190 Degrees is nothing to worry about, and quite normal. The white smoke on the other hand, sounds like you've got an internal water leak..... A compression test won't always catch a bad intake or head gasket....

 

Thanks for the clarification guys. I certainly am not mechanic and I think it shows.

Would a cylinder compression test possibly indicate a gasket leak or other potential problems? Would you also be afraid to pull the plugs in fear of cracking one? It would have to be done eventually but right now there is no major reason to cause further harm if some exist.

Did I read correctly somewhere that if there is a head gasket issue that it is more likely to occur on the passenger side d/t some reason that I can't remember about?

Thanks for any further tips/suggestions!
Matt

 

It certainly can indicate a head gasket leak, but won't necessarily confirm it. I would honestly look at the intake manifold gaskets if your compression test came out good, there could be a leak at one of the water jacket connections, leaking down through the lifter valley, that a compression test wouldn't detect at all. And pulling the intake is easy as heck, and the gaskets are cheap.

 

Great, thanks again.

Now I just have one more question. What are the engine specs on my Dauntless? Compression readings and tourqe for replacing the intake, etc. Does such a diagram exist for this old engine? Oh, I doubt there is any difference, but I was informed that its a `69 donor engine in my `70.

 

This is a pretty good reference for Engine fastener torque specs.....

http://www.teambuick.com/forums/content.php?126-225_v6_engine_specs

I can't seem to find a published Compression Pressure specification anywhere, but I'd say anything over 150PSI is probably going to be fine

 

190 is not too hot..

For the white smoke, when its cold out its pretty normal to have a lot at start up, then after warmed up.. some is normal. Theres always water coming out of the exhaust.

A compression test can help determine if you have a bad head gasket. Other things to check is your oil... if the oil starts to get a little milky, water could be leaking into the crankcase. Or if your water level in the radiator continues to drop and you cant see it leaking out anywhere. Look for bubbles in your coolant when checking the level. But any of this dose not mean its a bad head gasket.. it could be a cracked head, cracked block.