Checking head gasket

[Skip]

Just wanted to check. I did a search and found several instances that coincided with my problems. I replaced my belt tensioner and the elbows that run through it. These are the problems:

1. Sweet smell (inside cabin and from engine bay)-have smelled this for the last 2 weeks or so.

2. White smoke from exhaust

3. Burning white smoke from area of replaced elbow (under air intake)

4. Extreme aggravation of the engine at startup. It jumps from 800-3000 rpm a couple of times and holds at 3000 for about 5 seconds. It dies if I do not give it gas until the amps build up.

5. Slight loss of power and lag in acceleration. Doesnt really accelerate unless I punch it.

I have a good idea that it is the head gasket but wanted some responses on other possible problems if there are any.

[98Camaro3.8]

How's the coolant temp?

Definitely suggests head gasket. Get a compression tester and find out.

[blacksport]

Does the white smoke smell like syrup (anti-freeze)?


Usually if you have a blown head gasket after you let the car sit over night the cylinders will fill up with water and hydro lock the engine.


Does it miss?

[V8 Killer]

Originally posted by 98Camaro3.8:
Get a compression tester and find out.

Where can you get one and how do you use it, I think i might have the same problem

[vanbibber]

the one i used, you pull the spark plugs and plug the tester into the hole where the plug was and turn the car over. you should be able to get one at advance auto/autozone/etc.

To skip: have you checked the oil to see what it looks like? you'll know for sure if you have coolant in the oil that youve more than likely blown a head gasket.

[Skip]

I havent really had time to do any checking lately. I had to make time to exchange the belt tensioner and see that i had problems. I wont have time to do any of this until friday and thats when i need the car fixed.

Life sucks.....

Worst part is its two weeks into the semester and I havent even had time to show up to class once.

Life sucks again....

[Skip]

Temperature seems to get hotter than it used to, but not overheating. Instead of running at about 190-200, its running at 200-215. Its running like pure crap now. Still white smoke, no milky oil, no missing coolant from what I can tell.

I'm thinking the smoke from the engine bay might just have been what came out of the old tensioner piping.

Now it wont start after I turn it off, and had a very rough idle after running for 30 seconds-1 minute.

I only took it around the block last night so the other things just might not have had time to take place.