Thread: well now its a problem...

My best guess is that you have a bad intake gasket. But before you start tearing it apart, make sure to find out where the coolant is leaking (do a coolant pressure test, system should hold 15-18 psi without dropping) MAKE SURE TO PERFORM THIS TEST ON A COOLED ENGINE. If you find that the intake gasket is bad do a search to find out how to do this as this has been covered many times (very common for our cars).

Also make sure to flush out as much of that sludge as you can and then after you get most of it out put some radiator cleaner in there and flush the system with that to get even more out. That mud is typical of Dexcool.

Good luck!!

Including parts and labor a gasket job at a dealer is usually around $700.

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

Including parts and labor a gasket job at a dealer is usually around $700.

WOW, when I got an estimate for mine they wanted $1000. I still wouldn't have spent $700 tho!!

well would a intake gasket explain the white smoke coming from the tailpipes? (EDIT: im thinking maybe it IS the LIM if enough coolant is getting past the valves perhaps?)
im leading to believe its a head gasket failing because there is the white smoke, and it drips water when its revved. the engine still performs well, i jst dont want to risk warping heads -if it hasnt already happened. but i will get a compression check done

Originally Posted by the1euge

well would a intake gasket explain the white smoke coming from the tailpipes?

It sure can!!! Are you going through or losing coolant? It is possible that the intake gasket has broken and leaked internally into the intake manifold, where the engine sucks in a combination of A/F and Coolant, which would cause the white smoke.

I'm thinking you must not be seeing an external coolant leak so doing a compression check is a good idea. I would also suggest a coolant pressure test. Make sure to do it when the engine is cold!

Let us know what it turns out to be.

Originally Posted by the1euge

this problem has only started recently, but i do notice a bit of a decrease in coolant. not much, but noticeable. Not sure where i can do a pressure test at. can this be done @ home? and how would i know that it is - in fact - leaking out the LIM gasket?

Yup, you can do it at home, go to Auto Zone and get the pressure tester (Loaner tool #AZ9300). When you get it you hook it up to the radiator and pump it up to 17 psi and observe. The pressure should not fall if there is no leak. If it does, while its pumped up look around your engine and check for evidence of coolant. Fix what you see leaking. If you don't see any leaks, proceed with a compression test.