I've had a coolant leak, external, for a while now and I suspect a freeze plug but can't get to it. But recently, the heater has been intermittent, sometimes nonexistent. At the same time, the oil has a chocolate milk look and consistancy. I know I have an internal leak and at first thought a head gasket had blown. But, I looked at all of the spark plugs and they all have a consistant tan look and only two plugs have a slight crusty buildup, otherwise the car starts and runs fine. Once in a while, the car gets fidgety, ie. hard starting, rough idle, but goes away, then is fine for several months. I have removed the intake manifold and valve covers. There is a white film, rather thick, on the valve covers, read coolant in the oil. Intake manifold gasket is torn at one of the coolant crossovers. I believe this is the root cause of my problems, but should I continue and remove the heads? I'm very limited in funds and perform all of my maintenance so I don't want to spend money that is not required. Question is, will the car run well if a head gasket is blown or will there be backfires, missing, overall rough running?
Feb 13, 2009 at 12:29 PM