Benjamin Russick

iTrader: (1)

I had posted an earlier thread about having oil on the plugs, smoke and SES lights, so I've done some work on the car. Here is what I think is going on...
Head gasket failure or a warped/cracked head. Why?

Lots of white smoke, especially when accelerating.
Coolant is dissapearring for no reason with no puddles on garage floor.
You can smell coolant in the exhaust and sometimes in the car.
There is bubbling in the radiator when the engine is running.

Here are some things that I don't understand:

The oil on the dipstick looks OK not milky, but I won't know for sure until I change the oil later this week.
The compression check was OK.

Any help, input or opinions would be great! Ben

Billy177

you are right either cracked head/blown head gasket. the bubbling in the radiator is teh dead giveway. the oil can stay fine as the coolant is entering the combustion chamber not the crankcase

Benjamin Russick

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input! I'm hoping that it is just a gasket and not a warped/cracked head...

Billy177

unless it was overheated I would say its just the gasket

Benjamin Russick

iTrader: (1)

That's good news, but I'm preparing for the worst...

spy2520

iTrader: (3)

its odd the compression check would be OK though with a head gasket or cracked/warped head. obviously if air is bubling up in the radiator that air would most likely be coming from the combustion chamber if you are burning coolant...

Benjamin Russick

iTrader: (1)

Yah, I thought at least one of the cylinders would be puking on the compression test...

CHRISPY

You are getting coolant in the combustion chamber. It is probably a slightly pushed gasket.

Cheers
Chris

Benjamin Russick

iTrader: (1)

Thanks! I certainly hope that you are correct! I might order a set of the Patriot heads on sale just in case...

Benjamin Russick

iTrader: (1)

Any other input? Thanks!

LS1Beginner

I had a similar problem: that is, disappearing coolant and eventually a lot of white smoke out the rear. Mine was a head gasket - pulled the heads and #4 was steamed clean. No coolant in the oil but small amounts of snot in the oil cap and once apart, on the inside of the valve covers. Mine was due to an incorrectly torqued head - I used ARP studs when I replaced the gasket (w/ FELPRO MLS). I didn't have luck with the torque to angle bolts, just didn't do it right when I changed the heads. Good luck, I hope your's is a gasket.

Benjamin Russick

iTrader: (1)

Thanks! I am almost sure that it is a head gasket, but a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) opinion always helps.