Do need to change head gasket?

[Linas]

Hi,

I noticed that coolant is missing and couldn't find any visible leaks. Also I can see white smoke/fumes, so apparently there is some coolant getting into cylinders. I also saw some foam on the oil cap, but it also migth be due to condensation when driving in winter. So I made a compression check in the cylinders. I did it with throttle open, but with cold engine (I don't know how it should be done on hot engine without burning hands). I got the following results:
1 cylinder: 188psi
2 cylinder: 176psi
3 cylinder: 175psi
4 cylinder: 172psi
5 cylinder: 187psi
6 cylinder: 175psi

The difference between highest and lowest value was less then 10%. So my assumption is that the head gaskets are ok and the problem is with lower/upper intake manifolds, am I right?

If the problem is with intake manifold gasket, how hard is to remove them, are there any special tools needed or something to be aware of? Thank's in advance for your comments!

[cam98aro]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

those numbers look pretty good, i would say its not the headgasket

as for the intake manifold gaskets, i have no idea

[silVerSIXf-body]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

seeing those numbers makes me think that its the intake gasket thats leaking. a grand am (with the 3.4 in it) that i worked on had the same problem. compression #'s looked about the same as yours, give or take a few psi. but i replaced the intake gasket and it stopped leaking. just some food for thought:stp:

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

miles? recent internal work?

[HeadyFirebird'00]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

what does it mean when you get golden yellow foam in the oil cap? I also have this problem happening. worries the crap outta me

[flamingchicken]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

i have always thought its just normal...as long as the oil on the dipstick looks good, i wouldnt worry about it.

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

what does it mean when you get golden yellow foam in the oil cap? I also have this problem happening. worries the crap outta me

it means your oil is breaking down because it's mixing with water.

[Linas]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

Some additional info: my car is 2001 with 90k miles, to my knowledge no internal works were done on the engine.

[Linas]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

Ok, at the moment I have already removed upper and lower intakes and valve covers. The gasket of the upper intake was leaking coolant into cylinders. And on valve covers and lower intake I found this yellow mixture of coolant and oil. So the coolant was leaking to oil through bad lower intake gasket?

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

it appears so

[ne0hisda0ne]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

Ok, at the moment I have already removed upper and lower intakes and valve covers. The gasket of the upper intake was leaking coolant into cylinders. And on valve covers and lower intake I found this yellow mixture of coolant and oil. So the coolant was leaking to oil through bad lower intake gasket?

Linas, I'm not telling you that..."you" have to...but it would prolly be best that you replace all your gaskets since your already so far into the disassemble. It'd be good for your car and it's only $200 for a gasket set. All you got left is remove rockers, springs, lifters, rods (prolly missing some ****) couple bolts and the heads are off. You will need to remove the exhaust manifolds as well. Your gaskets will be about $10-50 though...

[flamingchicken]

Re: Do need to change head gasket?

if the compression checks out, there is no reason to pull the heads...if you pull the rockers off you need new rocker bolts. if you pull the heads you need new head bolts, head gaskets are $50 a piece. alot more work than you need, if it aint broke dont fix it.