Premature Head Gasket Failure, or something else?
#1
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Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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Premature Head Gasket Failure, or something else?
My engine has less than 50K miles on it. Are there any known instances of early head gasket failures? Are there any easy checks which can be done without pulling the heads?
Symptoms: Some white smoke just started coming out of my exhaust. It isn't "billowing" out of the back, but it's clearly visible. I checked my oil and it was completely clear of coolant. My coolant overflow resevour level appears normal (no visible oil has mixed with the coolant). I think the coolant has been bypassed around my throttle body, so I don't think any coolant is entering the intake at that point. What's the odds I have a failure of a head gasket on an engine with less than 50,000 miles?
If it is a head gasket failure, should I do any upgrades to the engine while I'm at it? The heads are easily accessable without dropping the engine, so it won't need to be pulled to do the head gaskets. That eliminates a cam upgrade.
TIA!
Symptoms: Some white smoke just started coming out of my exhaust. It isn't "billowing" out of the back, but it's clearly visible. I checked my oil and it was completely clear of coolant. My coolant overflow resevour level appears normal (no visible oil has mixed with the coolant). I think the coolant has been bypassed around my throttle body, so I don't think any coolant is entering the intake at that point. What's the odds I have a failure of a head gasket on an engine with less than 50,000 miles?
If it is a head gasket failure, should I do any upgrades to the engine while I'm at it? The heads are easily accessable without dropping the engine, so it won't need to be pulled to do the head gaskets. That eliminates a cam upgrade.
TIA!
#4
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Strange think is I have no idea. I noticed it on startup, but haven't been driving with a heavy foot lately. I also haven't done any burnouts, since I don't think the diff will handle the torque. I guess you can say I "baby" this car, considering the performance. I thought I may have smelled coolant the last time I drove it, but didn't notice any smoke. I'll try to take it by a garage to see if they can diagnose it after work tomorrow.
I also didn't seen any noticible drop in engine temperature. Puzzled... If it's a coolant leak, it's a small one.
I also didn't seen any noticible drop in engine temperature. Puzzled... If it's a coolant leak, it's a small one.
#6
Strange think is I have no idea. I noticed it on startup, but haven't been driving with a heavy foot lately. I also haven't done any burnouts, since I don't think the diff will handle the torque. I guess you can say I "baby" this car, considering the performance. I thought I may have smelled coolant the last time I drove it, but didn't notice any smoke. I'll try to take it by a garage to see if they can diagnose it after work tomorrow.
I also didn't seen any noticible drop in engine temperature. Puzzled... If it's a coolant leak, it's a small one.
I also didn't seen any noticible drop in engine temperature. Puzzled... If it's a coolant leak, it's a small one.
#7
the coolant and oil will eventually mix if that's the case. Also, when you have coolant getting into the combustion chamber the exhaust will smell a sickly sweet smell. It's unmistakable when coolant is burning. When you've smelled it once, you know it for life.
your in VA, so I'm guessing it's COLD there right now... I'd think simply cold weather and you just happened to take notice of it.
your in VA, so I'm guessing it's COLD there right now... I'd think simply cold weather and you just happened to take notice of it.