17 replies to this topic

[dklawson]

Before you take anything apart, do a little bit of investigating.

1) Smell the exhaust. If you are running anti-freeze (not just water) anti-freeze in the exhaust will smell sweet. If there is oil in the exhaust... the exhaust will smell like burnt oil. If you have a brake servo, the white could also be brake fluid. Brake fluid will smell acrid (bitter).
2) Think about when the engine smokes. Is the smoke continuous or does it stop as the engine warms up? Smoke on startup that goes away as the engine warms can come from many sources ranging from worn valve guides, worn rings, to a failing head gasket.
3) Check your fluids. As others said, disappearing coolant can be an omen of a failing head gasket. However, check the condition and level of both the engine oil and coolant. If you see oil in the anti-freeze or tan sludge on the dipstick, you have more evidence of a head gasket problem.
4) Invest in a compression tester if you do not already have one. Mark and remove all the spark plugs. Check each for their appearance. With the help of a friend use the compression tester to see how each cylinder is performing. The actual number is not as important as how close the pressure is from cylinder to cylinder.

If after checking these things you have reason to suspect the head gasket is going, fix it before you have a catastrophic failure. A machine shop will be able to inspect the head for flatness and general condition to tell you if anything needs to be done to the head prior to re-fitting.

[sheepy89]

had a look today and the radiator is still full. i havent filled it up for a few weeks so looks like im not loosing water and there is no white mayo stuff in the rocker cover or anywhere to be seen. could it be i just have an oil seal leaking somewhere thats getting into the exhaust fumes?


cheers

[bmcecosse]

All this head gasket talk............ there's probably nothing wrong other than normal wear and tear. Just run the car and keep an eye on the oil and water levels.