What are the signs that you need a new headgasket?

I took the car in for it's oil change (always on time and very well maintained) and they told me I had signs of a coolant leak in the engine. They told me and showed me a white milky sludge inside the oil cap. They said it was at the VERY beginning stages as the milky sludge was a VERY thin coating at the top of the oil cap and the oil was perfectly fine.

A friend who builds engines told me to remove the coolant cap, turn on engine, and look for lots of bubbles (showing exhaust getting into the coolant). There is.. so I took video.. his reaction.. (F***K!!). He said he has never seen it that bad and that the coolant should be lightly flowing through and not GUSHING through like it is in the video.

I would like to know your opinion.. Is this normal? (flow), or do I really have a serious problem? Your opinions, comments, are very much appreciated. They also want to do a pressure test but say it's at it's VERY beginning stages that they say most likely it is so small they won't be able to see any change.

Note: engine has not been started since last night, it's morning, cold out..

PIC (cold engine, cap off, BEFORE engine turned on): http://www.camarosource.ca/coolant_l...g_b4_start.jpg
VIDEO (Cap off, cold engine, just started engine): http://www.camarosource.ca/coolant_l...st_started.mpg

I was told the video should show the coolant calmly flowing and that this video showing it gushing around is not a good sign.. true?

Thanks.

 

I think Santa brought you a early XMAS present and its bigger then a lump of coal. Sorry sounds like a Head gasket or worse.
Not what you wanted to hear.

 

They said it was at it's VERY beginning stages. The oil is fine, (just replaced it with new oil) and just the very top of the oil cap has a bit of white milky oil.

Can I still drive? Is this serious (immediate?).

 

I wouldn't drive on it at all!!

If you get enough coolant into the oil it will cease (sp?) the bearings and you'll end up with a nice huge paper weight!!

You could fix it now for a few bills or drive it and fix the entire motor later for a few g's!

Good Luck & Happy Holidays!!!

 

I agree, just park it until you get it checked or repaired.

 

Hey Ken get that motor yet? Merry Christmas...

 

You can buy a test kit for that at just about any parts store. Take some coolant and put it in the supplied bottle with a little bit of the kit's chemical. If the fluid turns blue, you have exhaust gas in the coolant. That is usually a head gasket, and sometimes worse, a cracked head.

If you don't want to go that route... You can always remove the radiator cap and blow compressed air into each of the cylinders with the spark plug removed. That will quickly tell you if you have a problem and where its at. Just a compression test still leaves room for error.

It is still possible that you have air trapped in the system. Try and bleed the coolant for 10 minutes or so AFTER the thermostat has opened. It's a lot easier with a funnel that scews onto the filler neck. A very small amount of "milkshake" on the oil cap is actually quite common. Several short trips - where the engine does not reach full operating temperature for an extended period - can cause this. The engine just doesn't get warm enough to burn off any water in the crankcase.

 

Hmm.. this may be a very money saving alternative.. Please, what is this kit called? How much?

Hmm... I drive approx 7-10 mins to work, parked for 8 hours, drive 7-10mins back home where it is parked until the next day. Could be the reason for the "small amount of milkshake residue on the oil cap" due to these SHORT trips?

Thanks

 

Are you losing coolant? Blowing white smoke? Try pressure testing the cooling system. If the gauge loses pressure when pumped up then you have a problem. Very easy and quick to check. Or there is a product where you add dye that is compatible with coolant and when you are suspect to a leak use black light and if it is coolant it will glow brightly. If that happens when you shine it on the oil you have a problem. Start simple. Pressure test the cooling system. How often do you change the oil? I change mine between 3000-5000km or if she sits for a while(1 month)immediatly before I drive.

 

No coolant drips, no white smoke. The car seems perfect.. No problems whatsoever.

 

I drive approx 7-10mins to work, parked for the 8 hour shift, drive 7-10mins back home where it is parked until the next day. Hardly driven.

I change the oil ever 3-4 months. Approx 3-4X's a year.

 

pressure testing the cooling system would be up next