how do i tell if the head gasket or the intake is leaking

20

Asked by Ed Dec 19, 2014 at 10:57 PM about the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Z85 RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

my oil looks like off white milky color does not run bad or over heat but does use a little oil do not notice any smoke coming out when I start it but went to check my oil and it was milky looking

3 Answers

30,895

Check you coolant for contamination to confirm your head gasket is shot ... however, from what you said ... I'm already convinced. Milky oil = rod and main bearing failure followed by a new engine. Fix it now .. or at least get a second opinion. It won't get better but it will get worse.

3 people found this helpful.
20

I did Coolant looks fine mo slug on oil cap it was 2 qrts low on oil I ran it for 7to10 min rechecked oil no slug or.milky oil. I also marked my overflow reserve to see if I'm losing any. Could it have been because I was so low on oil

2 people found this helpful.
2,080

Well once you figure all that out you can have a smoke leak down test. The smoke will build up in your intake manifold, (make sure you connect it after your mas sensor since most of the smoke will escape through the air filter instead of enter the engine.) and as the pressure builds up inside you will begin to see smoke escaping any gaps and cracks your engine will have. With the exhaust plugged up you can determine any leaks all the way pass the catalytic converter to the muffler/ exhaust. Watch smoke carefully because it will travel upward tricking you into the being somewhere it's not. If you have a lot of oil build up around the gasket the smoke may not have enough pressure to escape but you can look to see if you see any movement in the caked up oil. :) i know i hate said this more than once tonight but good night everyone. Night Tom.

3 people found this helpful.

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