Coolant inside Spark Plug Cylinder 1

galiciavic13 · Mar 8, 2020

2014 Chevy Cruze 1.4L 128k miles.

On 2/19 I was driving to work when smoke started coming out of the bottom of my car. Exit the freeway and insected the engine (car overheated approximately less than 5 min). Hose from water outlet burst. Took it to the dealer they replaced the following items:

Water Outlet Part #25193922
Hose Part #13251447
Hose Part #55596898

Coupe of days later I started feeling rough idle and misfire while driving Check engine light and traction control disabled light. Drove it to the dealer and was told cylinder 1 was flooded with coolant. Cylinder 3 was semi filled with coolant. As well as PCV line leaking.
Codes P0300 & P1101

Last night I took off the coil and notice coolant inside the spark plug cylinder 1. I dried up the housing and took off the spark plug and did not notice any coolant inside the cylinder. Please see pictures. So far i have not gotten any miss fire I will drive it again and see if the coolant returns into the spark plug area. There is no mixture of oil and coolant. Picture of Spark plug are 1,2,3,4.

If i do have a leak, will it be better to swap the engine or fix head gasket and replace the head? Any suggestion will help thank you in advance.

Miguelcon74 · Mar 8, 2020

Yeah that's a bad head gasket Possible warped or cracked head. How many miles and other issues will help determine if swapping an engine or rebuilding.

I would pull the head to see if it's ok still. For me being a mechanic, I feel it's cost effective to do that, even if it is bad, then it wouldn't cost any more than what it would normally to replace the engine.

Though I'm the type of mechanic that wouldn't charge to pull the head and test. Some mechanics would charge to pull the head to test and then charge you full price to remove and replace engine. I would include the testing in with the engine replacement because it's the same amount of work really. Only a valve cover and head bolts really is all that is extra.

I can't find it but someone else just recently posted that there is a salvage yard that just pulled like 5 or 6 cruze engine for $1500 or something cheap like that with very very very low miles.

I came across my car with a bad #3 exhaust valve, so I pulled the head and had it remanufactured. Got lucky it wasn't bad. Lower block in good shape.

So if you only need the head rebuilt, $500 est. (dealership price for a stock head would be $775 est). gaskets $100 est. head bolts $60 est. coolant, and an oil change, etc. Labor, $1200 - $1600.

dealership engine $3700 est. install $2-2,500. gaskets, fluids, etc.

Though other items to consider when taking either option would be to perform the v3 pcv fix on your intake. Get new pcv tube to turbo. Have your turbo checked to make sure it's not worn to the point it should be replaced. and Valve cover.

When I got mine, the intake was bad also, so was valve cover, and pcv tube to turbo bad. Turbo was also cracked so bad and wastegate seized.

snowwy66 · Mar 8, 2020

The guy apparently is driving his car around just fine. Somewhat.

He didn't mention 2 dead cylinders so his engine must not be cracked.

Blasirl · Mar 9, 2020

Similar thread you may want to read

Wet pistons, do I have a serious problem? Borescope pic included

Lawzbryan · Mar 9, 2020

Miguelcon74 said:
Yeah that's a bad head gasket Possible warped or cracked head. How many miles and other issues will help determine if swapping an engine or rebuilding.

I would pull the head to see if it's ok still. For me being a mechanic, I feel it's cost effective to do that, even if it is bad, then it wouldn't cost any more than what it would normally to replace the engine.

Though I'm the type of mechanic that wouldn't charge to pull the head and test. Some mechanics would charge to pull the head to test and then charge you full price to remove and replace engine. I would include the testing in with the engine replacement because it's the same amount of work really. Only a valve cover and head bolts really is all that is extra.

I can't find it but someone else just recently posted that there is a salvage yard that just pulled like 5 or 6 cruze engine for $1500 or something cheap like that with very very very low miles.

I came across my car with a bad #3 exhaust valve, so I pulled the head and had it remanufactured. Got lucky it wasn't bad. Lower block in good shape.

So if you only need the head rebuilt, $500 est. (dealership price for a stock head would be $775 est). gaskets $100 est. head bolts $60 est. coolant, and an oil change, etc. Labor, $1200 - $1600.

dealership engine $3700 est. install $2-2,500. gaskets, fluids, etc.

Though other items to consider when taking either option would be to perform the v3 pcv fix on your intake. Get new pcv tube to turbo. Have your turbo checked to make sure it's not worn to the point it should be replaced. and Valve cover.

When I got mine, the intake was bad also, so was valve cover, and pcv tube to turbo bad. Turbo was also cracked so bad and wastegate seized.

Yes head gasket and it would not hurt to have the head shaved.

Miguelcon74 · Mar 9, 2020

Lawzbryan said:
Yes head gasket and it would not hurt to have the head shaved.

Milling the head will be part of the rebuilding process, yes.

On this particular head though IF it is salvageable, ask them to take "mill" as little off as possible because of the design of the "head-to-timing cover" alignment.

The timing cover is not moveable up or down. If TOO much is taken off then the head will sit lower than the alignment spot where the valve cover goes over both of them.

If this is more than 1/32" or so it will cause trouble sealing and cause a boost leak.

I one time purchased a head from a company online that had taken too much off. There was almost 1/16". Luckily I sent it back and received a refund.

Luckily too cause when I sent it back I noticed there were crack(s) that were hidden by silver paint they used to make the head look newer.

galiciavic13 · Mar 11, 2020

Update,

Removed the coolant from the spark plug area. put new spark plugs and been running the car for 3 days no issues and no coolant in the spark plug area. NO MISFIRES AT ALL. Mind you the dealer and I quote, "We replaced two spark plugs and let the car idle for 15 minutes and the cylinder area flooded once again. From the pictures above does it look like they replaced any spark plugs? I like to give people the benefit of the doubt here. But come of now, should I file a complaint and to who?

Bottom of dry spark plug area.

Miguelcon74 · Mar 11, 2020

galiciavic13 said:
Update,

Removed the coolant from the spark plug area. put new spark plugs and been running the car for 3 days no issues and no coolant in the spark plug area. NO MISFIRES AT ALL. Mind you the dealer and I quote, "We replaced two spark plugs and let the car idle for 15 minutes and the cylinder area flooded once again. From the pictures above does it look like they replaced any spark plugs? I like to give people the benefit of the doubt here. But come of now, should I file a complaint and to who?

Bottom of dry spark plug area.

View attachment 285846

So far so good right?

Just keep an eye on them weekly.

Maybe take a long long drive. And then pull the plugs when warm and let it sit and watch.

Glad it's working.

Robert29 · Aug 2, 2021

Wondering if you had anymore issues. So I had same issue I ended up pulling engine replacing all gasket timing chain. Start running vehicle had cat below efficiency and misfires codes. So I replaced plugs and o2 sensor. When I replaced plugs number 1 was little wet and can smell antifreeze out exhaust unfortunately when I replaced head gasket I did not pressure test head. Shot my self in the foot not sure if head cracked or if there another way for water get in cylinder

Bell farms · Dec 28, 2021

Hey I was wondering if you ever fixed the problem you had with the coolant in your spark plug hole ? I have the same issue going on. Thanks !

Blasirl · Dec 28, 2021

Bell farms said:
Hey I was wondering if you ever fixed the problem you had with the coolant in your spark plug hole ? I have the same issue going on. Thanks !

Welcome Aboard!

If you do not have coolant in the cylinders it is coming from an external leak. Pull the plugs and look inside each cylinder. If the pistons are wet or super clean, you may be burning coolant and probably have a head gasket leak. To verify do a pressure test on each cylinder bore. Also look at all the hose connections especially at the water outlet and less so at the thermostat. The water outlet is notorious for disintegrating under the hose. Those items will get you started. And read the thread I linked above.

Coolant inside Spark Plug Cylinder 1

galiciavic13

Miguelcon74

snowwy66

Blasirl

Lawzbryan

Miguelcon74

galiciavic13

Miguelcon74

Robert29

Bell farms

Blasirl

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