Vacuum/Milky Oil Cap

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

The gent who posted about the smoking problem generated some 
interesting replies...my $.02:

1)  The milky oil on the cap may not indicate a blown head gasket IF 
you do a lot of short (1 -2 mi.) driving.  I have seen that situation 
on engines which seldom got fully warmed up.  I find a better test 
for a blown head gasket is (as others have mentioned) pull the 
dipstick and check the engine oil.  If it looks grey ( or like 
chocolate milk) and is frothy, you probably DO have a blown head 
gasket and coolant has leaked into the oil.

To confirm head gasket status, I suggest a quick compression check.  
Low compression will pinpoint the problem cylinder if the gasket is bad 
enough to leak coolant.

2)  If your car ran at ALL with the filler cap off, you DO have a 
major vacuum problem. Removing it should have stopped that engine 
dead.  I recommend checking hoses as mentioned by others.

3)  The smoking and pressure build up are the things that REALLY make
me think it's a blown gasket.  Coolant going down the tailpipe will 
smoke/steam - and might (not sure of the chemistry) screw up your cat. 
converter.

Methinks you best checkum out REAL FAST.

PS: No more comments from me on mega-stereos.  I'm done...


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Al Powell                           Voice:  409/845-2807
Ag Communications                   Fax:    409/862-1202
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.             Email:  a-powell1@tamu.edu 
College Station, TX  77843-2112
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        "Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day."
                 - Sam Goldwyn, movie mogul.
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