MangoMan

Hey guys I think I may have a blown gasket. The funny thing is that the car steams in the morning and then goes away after a while, its about 28-35 degrees in the morning here in Utah. The steam rises in the air. If I let the car sit for a while, (AKA go into a resaraunte or store) and then come out again it will steam for a bit and then go away after a little while. I also notice a bit of condinsation on my hands if I hold them infront of the exaust. Is this normal?

vin 78

Check under the oil cap, if you have a blown gasket, the oil should be a mocha color or at the very least have some water vapors under the cap.

LXMN

All of my cars do this in cold weather. It is between 27-38 degrees here in Iowa in the mornings and nites. Expect this to happen.

Pheonix

It's condensation burning off. All cars do it.
You should warm the engine & do a compression/leak-down test if you're fearing for the head gasket.

MangoMan

I don't really have the facility for a compression test right now. Do you think those blue head gasket tests at pepboys work? They check for exahust gasses in the coolant I think.

MangoMan

Well I looked under the oil cap and to my horror there is a redish grimmy substance under the cap as well as sitting on the metal plate under the cap in the engine. It almost has a wet dirt like consistancy what in the freak is that.

Also the exhaust smells kinda sweet...

Pheonix

Never used one... But like real cheap compression gauge sets are $5-15. Basically running the engine until warm, taking the plugs out, taking the EFI fuse out so you dont' get fuel in your face & turning the engine over one plug at a time. Write the results down.

The underside of the oil cap is oil that's accumulating on the surface & burning off. It's not immediately indicative of burned buildup (sludge, or gel), but it can be. No real way to tell about that without taking the valve covers off. Quick engine flush will help with that, but take care of checking the compression, or leak-down before doing that.

3000

Yep, sounds like a BHG. The brownish dirtlike consistency is the oil mixed with the radiator fluid.

MangoMan

Freaking crap! This motor was just dealer rebuilt too. About 4 months ago.

MangoMan

How do I know if the block is cracked? I am really worried now.