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I would suspect a blown head gasket. STOP driving the vehicle immediately or serious engine damage will occur. Drain the oil and change the filter. The head itself may also be cracked. A compression test will determine if the head gasket is blown or the head is cracked. Take it to a trusted mechanic for diagnosis and repair if he is close by. If not have it towed in for repair.
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Has the vehicle been overheating or losing coolant? The symptoms you describe could point towards head gasket trouble (and other faults). Often, the exhaust fumes from a car with a failing head gasket will smell 'pungent' and 'sharp'.
Check the oil on your dipstick. If there's a greyish/cream sludge - sometimes referred to as 'mayonnaise' - this points towards coolant entering the oil system via a leaking head/head gasket.
Also check your coolant - is there any evidence of engine oil in it? Although the mayonnaise on the dipstick is usually the tell-tale sign of gasket problems.
If you suspect the head/head gasket try a special sealant such as:
If you have a blown head gasket a couple things will happen. You may be leaking coolant into the cylinder or into the oil passages.
Coolant leaking into the cylinder will produce a constant white smoke (steam actually) from the exhaust pipe. White smoke can be normal as condensation occurs with weather and the chemical reaction of the catalytic converter, but if you have a significant amount of constant white smoke followed by loss of coolant/water than you probably have a blown head gasket.
Coolant leaking into the oil passages will produce a chocolate milk color on the oil dipstick. If oil is brand new you may not be able to see this, but you will be able to see that the oil level on the dipstick is very high. You may also see oil (dark spots in the coolant) in the radiator/expansion tank.
Here are your options:
Replace the head gasket, BE SURE TO HAVE THE HEAD RESURFACED. May cost between $500 - $1500 USD for parts and labor.
Utilize a block sealer (available at any auto parts store) CAUTION these typically do not work but it may be worth a shot on small leak, but these normally require removing the thermostat and following special instructions to work as the manufactures claim - but they are very inexpensive compared to having the head gasket replaced.
It leaks what... coolant or exhaust gas?
If it's exhaust gases it's more likely to be the exhaust manifold gasket at fault.
If it's coolant leaking out somewhere it could be a hose/radiator/coolant tank, though coolant can also leak from the head gasket area.
A classic sign of a leaking head gasket is a creamy white/grey sludge on your oil dipstick. This is caused by coolant finding its way via a blown head gasket into the oil system
A creamy sludge on the dipstick - caused by coolant finding its way into the oil system because of a leaking head gasket.
Other indications of a leaking head gasket/head is overheating and rough running.
You can also try removing the cap from the coolant bottle and letting the engine idle. If bubbles continually appear this may be due to the exhaust gases finding their way into the cooling system via a leaking head gasket.
In most cases replacing a head gasket requires the cylinder head to be skimmed as well. This is because the alloy of the head tends to warp slightly.
A workshop would be able to diagnose a faulty head gasket within minutes. Having a head gasket replaced and the head skimmed isn't a cheap job.
Nowadays there are 'guaranteed head repair' additives available. Just follow the instructions on the can if you decide to use one. I personally haven't used such an additive.
*White milky oil on dipstick = coolant in oil. *Coolant on sparkplugs = cracked head or blown head gasket *White smoke = burning excessive oil in the cylinders, which can be caused by a number of things including valve seals, cracked head or blown head gasket. ***All three of these symptoms together, however, means its the head or head gasket. Both are costly but better the head gasket than the entire head.
Often (but not always), a blown head gasket will also cause deposit of water on a piece of cardboard held an inch from the tailpipe output while the engine is running (when this is happening, it is likely that the catalytic converter has been ruined and the muffler will corrode in short order as well).
Sometimes drops of water will be seen dropping from the end of the tailpipe. Another clue: turn on the heater; often when the head gasket is blown an odor of antifreeze and synthetic rubber will emanate from the heater vents. Many of the symptoms of blown head gasket can be caused by some other problem in the cooling system, without the head gasket being damaged. Conversely, other problems with the cooling system can cause a blown head gasket and/or warped head.
When checking for a blown head gasket, one of the most common tell-tale signs is a milky-gray ring around your oil cap. When coolant enters the engine oil through a crack in the head or through a blown gasket, it evaporates and leaves a milky ring around the oil cap. Another easy way to tell is to check your oil dipstick. Change your oil and pull out the dipstick. Make sure that you take note of how far up the dipstick the oil is. Top off your cooling system and fill your cooling reservoir to the top. Screw radiator cap back on and start engine. Run engine for about 20-30 mins. or until it reaches normal operating temperature. Allow engine to cool (engine must cool completely to get accurate oil reading!!). Check oil dipstick again. If the oil has a watery appearance and has risen noticeably up the dipstick, the you probably have a blown head gasket or a warped head. Also look for a dripping, sweet-smelling liquid coming out of your tailpipe. Any of the above symptoms could be the result of a blown head gasket. The easiest way to tell is with a compression meter. This replaces the spark plug and lets you know what compression each cylinder is running at. If your compression is abnormally low, then you have a blown head gasket or a warped head. (note: consult repair manual for appropriate compression of each cylinder.)
Engine cold, you open the radiator cap. You'll lose some coolant, so having a deep drip pan underneath is advisable. Be aware that antifreeze is poisonous to pets, as they are attracted to the sweet smell, and will drink it. It is also bad for humans, and should be kept away from children. Can cause blindness. (Thanks for letting me state that. I feel better now)
First thing, pull the oil dipstick, and observe where the oil level is. You should have your vehicle on a flat level surface. Wipe the dipstick off with a clean rag, and recheck the level. If it is way overfull, and has yellowish globs, you have a blown head gasket, or a cracked engine block.
Getting the engine too hot, can cause a blown head gasket. Not enough antifreeze, or changing it when it's the change interval, can cause the engine to freeze, and crack the block. Bring the dipstick close to your nose, and see if you can smell antifreeze.
Start the engine and observe the coolant. You may need a flashlight. You will see some bubbles as the coolant flows, through the coolant tubes of the radiator. This is normal. As the engine warms up, and the thermostat opens, if you see a constant stream of bubbles coming to the top, you have a blown head gasket.
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