Head gasket
Posted: 10 Apr 2008 03:07
I recently posted regarding milky oil under the valve cover cap after spring start up several weeks ago. This past weekend I began the job of replacing my water pump which had started leaking last summer. After draining the radiator of coolant and removing it from the car, I noticed the final bit of coolant that I was able to tip out from the tanks was a milky color and seemed a thicker consistency than normal. I am now even more concerned that I have a bigger problem here...head gasket??? Is this the most common sign of a blown head gasket? Are there other indicators I could diagnose?
Subsequently, if I replace the head gasket are there components of the head that I should service at this opportunity? The car has 88,000 kms and I feel there is evidence that this motor has been opened up and worked on before; ie: silicon gasket material under valve cover, timing cover and oil pan. Also evidence of different bolts used in reassembly of some components...some with extra washers added to compensate for incorrect sizes used. The even bigger question is assuming a worst case scenario, with the head removed and serviced, should I stop there? How about the bottom end? Although the car runs decently, I do check plugs frequently and my plugs are generally oily and fouled. I have not yet observed any blue smoke from the tailpipe, but there is a very pungient emmisions odor which is quite noticeable when idling. I have set my carbs and timing according to all the good info I have collected. I realize this is alot of stuff to lay down on one post but I am quite confused as to which direction to move now. I could just put in my new water pump(which has gone very well I might add thanks again to all the good info found here) and roll along but I know in my gut is not the right thing to do. Thanks for your input.
Subsequently, if I replace the head gasket are there components of the head that I should service at this opportunity? The car has 88,000 kms and I feel there is evidence that this motor has been opened up and worked on before; ie: silicon gasket material under valve cover, timing cover and oil pan. Also evidence of different bolts used in reassembly of some components...some with extra washers added to compensate for incorrect sizes used. The even bigger question is assuming a worst case scenario, with the head removed and serviced, should I stop there? How about the bottom end? Although the car runs decently, I do check plugs frequently and my plugs are generally oily and fouled. I have not yet observed any blue smoke from the tailpipe, but there is a very pungient emmisions odor which is quite noticeable when idling. I have set my carbs and timing according to all the good info I have collected. I realize this is alot of stuff to lay down on one post but I am quite confused as to which direction to move now. I could just put in my new water pump(which has gone very well I might add thanks again to all the good info found here) and roll along but I know in my gut is not the right thing to do. Thanks for your input.
