Help me determine Head Gasket or Intake gasket failure..

SuperStang90

SuperStang90

Club Member
I recently noticed my car smoking white smoke intermittently, like on a cold start after the car has sat for quite some time. Like 1-2+ weeks. It will smoke, and you can definitely smell in the garage that it is coolant. There isn't any coolant in the oil. The car runs great, and strong still. Whatever has happened seems to not affect performance whatsoever. The car doesn't overheat, and once the engine warms up after seeing the smoke it completely clears up. If I take the car out for a ride and pull it back into the garage I can still sometimes smell coolant. Could it be an intake gasket leaking coolant into the cylinders? I'm not positive that this is even possible but hey it would be easier then throwing head gaskets in it.. I have not done a compression or leakdown test, nor pressurized the cooling system yet. Figured someone on here may have some advice before I start tearing into it
 
You could've blown one of the water jackets out on the intake gasket and its leaking out. Is there any coolant puddling on the ground?
 
Head bolts or head studs? MLS gasket? I had a similar issue and it was because one cylinder head had lifted. I had graphite gaskets and stock head bolts and never retorqued them, my mistake. I went and changed to a head stud.
 
1mean85gt said:
You could've blown one of the water jackets out on the intake gasket and its leaking out. Is there any coolant puddling on the ground?
Click to expand...

No puddling on the floor at all. It does seem like there is more pressure in the cooling system then normal. I have a jegs overflow can and it will fill with coolant just sitting there idleing

Casper302 said:
Head bolts or head studs? MLS gasket? I had a similar issue and it was because one cylinder head had lifted. I had graphite gaskets and stock head bolts and never retorqued them, my mistake. I went and changed to a head stud.
Click to expand...

ARP head bolts, Ford Racing head gaskets (Whatever ones they recommend for the GT40X heads). A lifted head has crossed my mind, I had boost spike to 16lbs last fall before I put it away for the winter. It only happened that one time but I suppose that could of been enough. I just dont understand why it still runs good
 
Check the plugs. Coolant will wash he plug/ cylinder clean. The do compression test. Head gasket will lower comp compared to the good cylinders. No comp loss pull intake and inspect. A high boost level could pop intake or head gasket. Just think the intake has to come off before the heads. Hope this helps.
 
ive got a coolant system pressure tester if you need to borrow it. im in newport but i can send it or whatever. just make sure i get her back.
 
this stuff is will tell you if you have exhaust in your coolant, one way to check for a bad head gasket without pulling it apart.
0707011804.jpg
 
chunkybs said:
don't quote me, but i believe you poor some of it in this thing, and then stuff that into the overflow tank opening. you then use the squeeze ball thing (technical term) and pull the air from the overflow into the tester. if it's bad then the tester fluid changes colors.


http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/OEM-Block-Tester/_/N-25dh?itemIdentifier=391378_0_0_


or
http://www.blockchek.com
Click to expand...

Love the terminology lol. That is the just of it, you just have to be careful as to not suck coolant into the 'thingy' or it ruins the fluid. I've done it back in the day but dont have access to the tool anymore. I may have to look into getting or borrowing one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top