Head Gasket Leak?

[CarDrivinHick]

After changing the oil in my '97 4-cylinder Camry with ~155,000 miles on it, I realized that my coolant is rather dark. I don't recall actually ever changing the coolant, just adding more from time to time. I'm wondering, could it be my head gasket, or would a head gasket cause coolant in the oil rather than oil in the coolant?

[Kep]

I don't believe the coolant should get dark but I've never left in in for more than a couple years at a time. It could be exhaust residue mixing in rather than oil. (Oil kind of leaves a sheen on the surface when you look in the radiator or the reservoir.) Still probably a head gasket problem, just a different area.

If you are adding coolant regularly (weekly, monthly, etc..) that is another failing head gasket clue. Another classic symptom is a puff of white smoke when you first start the car up in the morning. If you haven't seen that yet you may have caught it before it has gotten to be very bad. You can test the coolant for exhaust gasses to verify the problem. Then you'll need to decide if it is worth putting in a new head gasket, maybe try an additive (I like Cargo) or even changing out the engine.

If you're going to have this done by a mechanic get three or four estimates. Ask about warranty on both labor and parts. Try to talk to other customers to see how good their customer service really is. A cheap job is often shoddy but an expensive job is often just over priced.

Luck,
Kep

Luck
Kep

[toyomoho]

Easiest first step is to flush the complete system and keep an eye on the coolant level.

Coolant can get dirk and grungy if left in too long.

[ghettosled]

yes, it can get dark. on some previous vehicles i've had the green coolent turn to dark rust after about 5 years of not being changed.

[CarDrivinHick]

I haven't had to add coolant regularly at all, usually once a year if that. Maybe I should change the coolant, then check it at regular intervals or something. What would changing the coolant include? Just draining the reservoir and siphoning out the radiator? Do I need it done professionally?

Thanks!

[cruisn76]

KEP, how big is this puff of smoke when you first start the car? I see a tad of smoke when I start in the morning, should I be more tentative about it?

White smoke like from a bong, or white smoke that is transparent?

[Kep]

This is embarassing. I haven't a clue how much smoke a bong puts out.

The amount of "smoke" (steam actually) is relative to the size of the head gasket leak. I first noticed mine when I saw wisps of smoke drifting past my windows. It was about the same concentration as a smoker exhaling. It was more concentrated at the tail pipe.

The smoke is just one symptom. The next thing that you monitor is your coolant level. If you aren't loosing coolant the smoke is coming from something else. (In humid weather you sometimes have moisture condense inside the muffler overnight and give very similar symptoms.) Also monitor your oil level. A valve stem leaking oil can cause smoke. If there is enough you can see a color difference but if it is just a little you may not be able to distiguish between the two.

Kep

[ghettosled]

Originally Posted by CarDrivinHick

I haven't had to add coolant regularly at all, usually once a year if that. Maybe I should change the coolant, then check it at regular intervals or something. What would changing the coolant include? Just draining the reservoir and siphoning out the radiator? Do I need it done professionally?

Thanks!

you can so it yourself. you can pull off the lower radiator hose (im not sure if the camry radiators have a petcock at the bottom to drain the radiator instead of pulling the hose) and remove the radiator cap . i would then use a garden hose to flush out the radiator from the top. also clean out the reservoir. reconnect the lower hose and fill the radiator up to the brim with fresh coolent. turn on the car. as the car runs the coolent level will drop. keep adding coolent until the level remains steady. this should only take a couple of minutes. shut off the motor and top off the reservoir.