Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

ok well i just installed headers and yesterday i took my car to the performance shop to get an LS6 oil pump installed and a tune, the guy was installing the oil pump and found some milky residue under the oil cap and some in the pan. when i was installing my headers i took out the dipstick tube out an the oil looked clean and fine, which means that this must have just happened, the guy says he thinks its a head gasket blown and will cost 1400 dollars to fix if it is the head gasket. anyone else have this happen, ive read about head gaskets being blown and also condensation building up and when you go on short trips it doesnt give it time to evaporate it out of the engine, also how long does it usually take to fix head gaskets???

patriotformula

iTrader: (28)

what does his definition of fixing the headgasket entail? It should not cost anywhere near 1400.00. I'd see if you or a buddy can do it. Just a bunch of unbolting stuff and putting it back together.

89ws6formula50

iTrader: (6)

I would do a leak down on the cooling system, pressurize it and see if it really is a HG, also can look to see if there are any bubble in the radiator with the engine running. Dont just go on this guys word if your oil was nice and clean. You will get some moisure under the oil cap from short trips of the engine just running too cold. Is there any thick white smoke in the exh? Make sure you verify it before you shell out money.

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

Like the others said. Some foam in the cap could be from condensation from short trips in the winter. How did he see the pan unless he pulled the engine or atleast removed the K member to gain access?

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

he is replacing the oil pump and said that he found it, also he is doing machining and stuff to fix the heads if the gasket did get blown. how much should it cost usually??? and this place specializes in all LSX engines since thats all they work on soi trust he can fix it but he isnt done testing and checking to see if it is the head gasket.

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

but he hasnt called me back yet so i expect to hear from him on monday with the problem, he just didnt want to put the stuff on and tune it and then the motor blow up without my consent. but i would much rather have it fixed then blow up my motor, and i think the 1400 dollars is everything including the pump install and tune.

Var

iTrader: (1)

You're in a crappy sitaution right now. Since he got the front end of the motor apart it should save you labor to do the headgaskets right now. But you're not certain it's the headgasket unless you run some tests which also cost money.

Do you take short trips (less than 25-30 minutes) to where your oil might not be at full operating temp? It could be condensation like the others said.

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

yeah i do to work and school i live 10-15 minutes from both so its a short trip, i just think its odd he found this but the guy who changed my oil last who always changes my oil didnt say he found anything like this and this was two weeks ago, i just switched to synthetic could that have anything to do with it???

jlrz28

iTrader: (7)

I wouldnt worry about it as long as your coolant level is at normal and the dipstick doesnt show more than normal.

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

yeah thats another thing the coolant wasnt low and i didnt have any overheating, so i dont know what he is gonna tell me when i get the full report on his tests. hopefully its something simple and easy to fix.

6secNaLs1

iTrader: (5)

dude my car does the same thing its due to short trips when its cold...i dont think you have a blown gasket...mine did it before i blew my motor and after...when it got summer time it stopped...i would not worry about it...but if you are do some test and go from there

ShevrolayZ28

iTrader: (4)

woops double post.

ShevrolayZ28

iTrader: (4)

Many, many LSx engines will show some creamy crud on the oil cap and not have a blown head gasket. A blown head gasket is usually quite evident. I bet there's nothing wrong. I'd have him put it back together and go from there.

I hate to even go there, but do you trust that this shop is being honest with you?

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

he said that he would do some test and check to see if it could be the head gasket, he said if it doesnt end up being the head gasket then we can go from there he just doesnt want to do the work and it not be the gasket. i dont think he took the heads off yet but he is doing something to see if it is the head gasket for sure and then he will call me. like you all said i could just be condensation from the cold winter nights of sitting outside and then driving it for like 10-15 minutes to school and to work. but i would much rather have it be fixed if it is then my motor blowing up on me and not having a car.

spy2520

iTrader: (3)

yeah changing a head gasket isnt $1400, the machine work may be around $200-$500 total from what i've seen, and pulling the head off isnt more than a days work with a friend. and i'd say if your coolant level is normal dont worry about it. i had a head gasket blown on my last car and it was way more than just milky **** in the oil, although that is one indication.

CAT3

iTrader: (9)

Sounds like the shop is doing the right thing...notify you, do the tests and go from there. If one of my customers cars came in and I was in his shoes I would do/say the same thing. GL and hope its just from short tripping your car ( buy a bicycle ).

chpmnsws6

iTrader: (70)

another vote for short trips. mine had the same thing

itchygomey98

iTrader: (2)

For 1400 dollars, I'll fly there and fix it for you!

Cop Car

iTrader: (14)

dude dont take a shops word for it, take it home and do a compression check yourself. its probably fine. dont spend 1400 that you could spend on heads/cam later on down the road

chpmnsws6

iTrader: (70)

its worth the 1400 if he does not know how to do it and thats his only mode of transportation. i know when i started out modding it seemed like EVERYTHING went wrong and become very expensive (then again it was on a DSM)