blk90coupe

iTrader: (1)

I fear my car has a leaky head gasket, but it just doesn't make sense to me. The car doesn't overheat, nor use coolant. There is no coolant in the oil pan, but there is in the valve covers. When you start the car it shoots white smoke and smells like coolant until it warms up. Im really stumped at this point and any input is appreciated. Car is an 01' Z28 A4, w/ a HKE 347 w/ trickflow heads, cam, and fast 90.

Johnnystock

iTrader: (6)

Really looks like head gasket, just a small leak that'll get bigger by the time...

blk90coupe

iTrader: (1)

Thats what im thinking, i've just never seen one that doesnt contaminate the oil in the pan.

SUCK MY SS

iTrader: (14)

do a compression test, and watch the coolant level in the radiator...if it rises, then you have a leak...you can also do a cylinder leakage test, and listen to the adjacent cylinder of which you are testing...
is it possible the water you are seeing in the valve covers is just due to residue from an open pcv connection?

blk90coupe

iTrader: (1)

I have had an open pcv connection, and I didnt know it. But why would the car be smoking?

NHRAFORMULA00

iTrader: (2)

White smoke is water or coolant that is being sucked past the head gasket into the combustion chamber. After it heats up it might be stopping,or sealing.Short term fix would be to add Ceramic Sealer to your radiator,make sure you follow the directions.If this helps,then i would tear it apart and fix the gasket.If you are using cometic gaskets the finish on both the heads and block must be super smooth.If the finish is not you will have coolant problems.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

All cars smoke white on cold start in cold weather. If you are not running hot or losing coolant you are fine.

For piece of mind you can do a leakdown test, have a shop test for exhuast contamination in the coolant or presuure test the cooling system which is cheap and easy. Just be sure if it is leaking down it is not a hose or something else on the cooling side......

blk90coupe

iTrader: (1)

Car started overheating this morning and found a good amount of radiator fluid in the oil fill tube, I pulled the heads today and gonna do the head gaskets.

NHRAFORMULA00

iTrader: (2)

Sorry to hear,its the head gaskets.Coolant in the oil is bad,usually ruins all of the bearings,cam,rod, and crank.Steam on startup is common if it disapates.White smoke is burning coolant,not good.

blk90coupe

iTrader: (1)

Wasn't running for long, so hopefully nothing is damaged...