What are the symptoms of a leaky head gasket?
What are the symptoms of a leaky head gasket? 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.
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?
is it possible the water you are seeing in the valve covers is just due to residue from an open pcv connection?
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?
is it possible the water you are seeing in the valve covers is just due to residue from an open pcv connection?
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.
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......
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......
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Verdad Gallardo 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.
