[s-cars] Uh oh - Headgasket failure?

[Ed Walsh]

Well, everything was smooth until 2 days after the
MTM1+ installation.... but I thing the extra pressure
might have created a leak in the headgasket.

When I start the car to go to work, I get a big puff
of white smoke from the tailpipe.  The puff wasn't
oily, so I figure it must be antifreeze.

Here is what I know:

-The puff stops coming out of the tailpipe after about
20 seconds of the engine running and doesn’t come back
on that trip.  The total “size” of the puff if,
unaffected by wind, is about the size of the car
itself

-The white smoke is back (though much smaller puffs)
when I start the car to go home from work

-A small amount of water pools at the end of the
tailpipe, if the car idles for a while

-The car boosts right to 22 and feels very strong
(maybe assisted by the atomized coolant)

-There is no water in the crankcase oil

-There is no visible sign of water consumption in the
coolant reservoir (60 miles driven)

Questions:

-Could there be a small leak somewhere other that the
headgasket which is allowing coolant to enter the
intake?

-Can the head bolts be loose?

-How can I confirm the headgasket is shot?

 Any other tips or BTDT of what it could be / where I
can look?

Thank you for all comments!

Ed
Boosting and bummin’


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