Do I have a blown head gasket?

Question

I think my 2000 daewoo lanos might have blown its head gasket. The engine is running very rough (the car shales a lot) and uneven. This started 2 nights ago after a 10 minute drive when i was parking the car, so it seemed to happen randomly.

The next day i turned it on but didn't try to move it. It was still shaking a lot and there was white smoke coming from the back of the car and it smelled sweet. I've checked the oil and it does not look strange to me but my coolant tank smells like gasoline.

The oil level has dropped to the halfway point of the dipstick since the last time i checked it a week earlier (which never happens) when it was a little above max, though i did take a 300 mile trip in the meantime. I've also been losing coolant (and refilling) these last couple of weeks and would find small or no puddles.

I know there are a lot of factors involved here but any insight (esp. on sealing fluids) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading and for any replies.

I guess it's probably a blown head gasket. All these symptons I described I found out about online, I'm no expert, but I've read some people have used liquid sealants to temporarily fix the gasket with mixed results. I would like to drive my car back home (I'm 300 miles away at college) so my dad could help me and I could go to my regular mechanic. Otherwise I think it might be better to just get a new car (this car has other past and current problems). Should I try out these sealants and make my trip back? Has anybody used them before?

Thanks for all your replies!

Answer 1

Go to an auto parts store and but a compression tester, and test the compression. The amount doesn't matter but the cylinders should all be within 10% of each other.

Also pull the oil filler cap off and look at the underneath of it, if you see white milky substance there, that is bad news.

From what you describe it does sound very much like it blew, or the head cracked.

Answer 2

Sure sounds like a blown head gasket to me. The white smoke gives it away.

I don't think you'll make it 300 miles. Maybe you could drive it about 3 miles and stop, and let it cool off, and add fluid, and then drive another 3 miles, etc., repeating that process 100 times, then MAYBE you can get it home without severe damage.

These head gasket sealants just don't work. Don't waste your money on them. THEY WON'T HELP YOU. Those are just for very very minor leaks, but you've got a major blown gasket leak.

Try this: get a friend, and buy a couple tow ropes, and slowly tow it home using your friends cars. I say to buy a couple, because you'll probably break at least one (perhaps more). Or buy a chain. Take the easiest route home, with the least traffic, and least number of red lights and stops. You can use an expressway if you want. Once you've attached the tow rope or tow belt or chain, or whatever you use, put the key in, turn it on (but don't START it!!!), and put it in neutral. Then drive carefully. You can make it if your good. Just keep the tow rope tight; don't let it get a lot of slack in it. That's why this works on a freeway; the towrope usually stays tight enough so it won't snap. If it loosens, like when going down a hill, very carefully and slowly brake the towed car until the tow rope is tight again. Try that. Plan on spending about $25. And pick a good friend that knows how to drive while towing a car. And note: you might end up damaging HIS car, so try to find someone with an old car who doesn't care.

Answer 3

You can take your radiator cap off. Make sure your radiator is full look into the opening. Run the vehicle if you see bubbles you probably have a blown head gasket. You can go to your local mechanic and have him run a pressure test on your system. If it leaks off that also is an indication that you have a leak in the system. It could mean you have a blown gasket.*****You should not drive the vehicle if you have a blown gasket, it can grove the head or the block. You may be able to re torque the head and retain the seal if you have not done any damage. I do not know of any sealant that will work. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

You have a cracked head or a blown head gasket. Oil in the coolant comes from the passages ni the head seperating oil gallies from coolant gallies. If your rings where bad it would be sucking tons of oil into your cylinder and burning a lot of blue smoke and then fouling out your plugs quickly. So you will need to determine which head is faulty. Even if it just a head gasket blown, you have the head off and it is proactive to have the head pressure tested and look at valve facings while you have it off. Simply pulling plugs will not always work. Because the crack or the blown head gasket mainly cross over from gally to gally and do not leak into the cylinder. If it was leaking into a cylinder you would be getting white smoke which is indicative of coolant being burnt in the engine.

Answer 5

Hi there - I know I am female but..........

The usual rule of thumb for a blown head gasket is:
*check your radiator while engine is running and see if there are any bubbles in it.
*check raditor for any oil etc floating on the top when engine is not going.
* take off oil cap and see if there is a discolouisation (usually creamy white) on the inside of the lid or just inside the engine.
* Engine misfiring and smoking out of exhaust.

I grew up with a house lot of brothers . . . . Good luck as these can be costly if you have been driving it too much with a blown head gasket and you have an alloy head then the head may be warped and need machining by a specialist.

Answer 6

You have all the signs of a blown head gasket.If the engine was overheated at anytime in the past then I'm sure that is what you have.

If you go to a parts place like auto zone pep boys etc you can get a block tester(that is what its called)and check it yourself.It comes with a blue fluid.The directions come with the kit.If the fluid turns yellow then the head gasket is blown.

I wouldn't try to drive it 300 miles in that shape.Those fix it things in most cases do not work.The car will leave you stranded.

take the train and enjoy the scenery

Answer 7

white smoke: coolant and or oil burning YES
smelled sweet: that is burning coolant YES
shaking: compression is effected by the blown gasket YES

i am no expert, but I no enough to know that it sounds exactly like a blown head gasket

Answer 8

i own a repair shop,and yes i think you have a blown head gasket from what you just told me on here it sounds like it has blown,,the only thin you can do is have it repaired ,as for the cause of this,,its a guess from this point,,but i think that's what has happened,,i wouldn't drive it,,or start it anymore,you can cause more damage to it by running it,good luck,i hope this help,s

Answer 9

According to everything I have been taught, yes. If you are finding small or no puddles, most likely you are leaking those fluids into your combustion chamber. You say it runs rough, and from everything I have learned, you need to take your car in QUICK! If you have blown your head gasket, you are ruining your combustion chamber also, which will result in pricy repairs!!

Answer 10

yep,thats what happened.you dont have to have it in the oil,it depends where the gasket blew at.if it blew between cylinders then it will be in the cumbustion chamber and it goes out the tailpipe.