I've read on this board that it is possible to blow a head gasket, where only combustion gasses escape into the lifter valley.

I have excessive crankcase pressure, and very thin wisps of smoke puffing out of the oil fill cap. I thought it was my piston rings at first, but I only have 95k on my engine and I am lightly modded. Nothing major. My oil pressure is completely normal, and my car doesn't overheat or anything.

Reasons I think I have a blown head gasket:

1) Spitting/chuffing sound from inside engine. Sounds kind of like a cross between an exhaust leak and lifter tick. However, I have no exhaust leaks, I just changed out my bad lifters to good ones, and relashed all rocker arms.

2) Sweet, pungent exhaust smell. Its also very acrid and makes your eyes water. I do have a catalytic converter, so I'm sure this isn't normal.

3) Thin white steam, but not very much, coming from exhaust. the steam is very moist and kind of sticky.

4) If I hold my hand over the tailpipes, it feels like its raining. Water droplets shoot out of the exhaust tailpipes even at idle.

5) Car is *very* slow and down on power, makes hissing when engine is under load. Sounds kind of like a couple loose spark plugs.

6) About 4 months ago, my car overheated and went almost to the red. The temp needle stayed at the 3/4 mark for about 5 minutes.

7) About 1 month ago, I saw a small streak of milky oil under the driver's side valve cover. I wiped it off, and since then, it hasn't come back.

I haven't had milky oil, no air bubbles in my coolant, nothing.. is it still possible I have a blown head gasket?

I am going to borrow a friend's compression tester, but even if I'm losing compression, I probably won't be sure if its rings or head gaskets.. how would I be able to tell?

Well, thanks for reading.

 

Quite a few of those make it sounds like a blown head gasket.

 

thanks, Ken. (this is kyung btw)

which ones make it sound like a blown head gasket? some have told me #2, #3 and #4 are normal for a cammed/headered car.. hmm.

 

I know

WTF? I dont know what cars they have but water out the exhaust isnt normal on a cammed/headed car...
I was going off of 2/3/4.

 

Great! Believe it or not, a blown head gasket is good news to me. It sure as hell is better than a re-ring, since I almost have the heads off already anyway.

Well, I may be the first person to say this on the board, but.. "Gee, I hope I have a blown head gasket!".

Thanks, ken.

 

Well i hope you have a blown head gasket too

 

I've been through a head gasket job before so let me make one suggestion...PORT & POLISH!!! Oh and a 3 angle valve job!!!!!! u'll regret it if u don't ! i dodn't do it to mine and really really wish i had!

 

If it is just the heads/gaskets, its a relatively easy job