Likely blown headgasket, but car never overheated

[87path]

I have a 1992 Camry 2.2 liter 4 cylinder 5S-FE engine. I just noticed this week that the lower radiator hose looked odd. It was flat and squished, like it hasn't been pumping fluid. I checked the radiator when I got home and the coolant had turned into heavy milkshake. It brown and obvious that oil has gotten into it. I'm fairly certain the head gasket is leaking, but we have never had the car overheat on us in our 19 years of ownership. It has also shown no other signs of a blown head gasket - no white smoke, no coolant in the oil, etc. Is it possible that the gasket is worn from age? Only other thing I can think of is the cat could possibly be clogged. It has been making a small rattle for several months and I was just going to replace this week.

Since the car has never overheated, should I not worry about head warpage and getting it machined?

Also, how does a head gasket job rate in difficulty? I have done timing belt, oil pump, struts, alignment, motor mounts, valve cover, window regulators, transmission springs, and drive axles on the car so far.

Thanks!

[71Corolla]

Before you go any further, you need to determined for sure that the head gasket is bad. Get yourself a radiator leak tester, it is a very handy tool that will help you find the leak quickly. Pull all 4 plugs, and pressurize the system. You'll know in a few minutes if you have a leak, and you'll likely also be able to tell exactly where the leak is.

Although unlikely, it is possible that the transmission cooler has failed and tranny oil is being pushed into the coolant, how is your transmission fluid level? Do you lose coolant over time? Your radiator hose may have just failed and went flat, a flat hose doesn't mean you have a blown head gasket although it can be one of the symptoms. I've had a couple of upper hoses go completely flat, I replaced them and everything was good.

If you do have to pull the head, based on your experience you should be able to handle the job no problem. It's not a hard job (especially on the 5S-FE which has easy access to most things) but it does require a few specialized tools like a good torque wrench, and service bolt to hold the camshaft gears in place. I would read over the factory service manual carefully before you tackle the job, take your time and things will go smoothly.

When you get the head off, it's up to you if you want to have the head checked for cracks etc. But at the very least, you should replace the valve stem seals. I personally would not bother having the head machined unless I saw something obvious, like pitting or other damage from the bad head gasket.

But like I said, before you think about doing anything else, pressure test the cooling system.

[Zembonez]

Do a compression and leak down test before just assuming it's the head gasket. Zillions of heat up / cool down cycles since 1992 can cause a gasket to eventually fail without the car being overheated. It happens. If you do end up pulling the head DO makes sure to have it checked and machined as needed.

[doozergreengrass]

Make sure you're 100% sure its the h/g before attempting anything!!!

I have recently completed the h/g job on my 5sfe. From your description it sounds like you'd do the job piece-of-cake, just be prepared. If I were you i'd get the head checked/machined, it'd be a bugger to have to rip it off again. If you can afford it, do it.

Good luck!

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

Do a compression and leak down test before just assuming it's the head gasket. Zillions of heat up / cool down cycles since 1992 can cause a gasket to eventually fail without the car being overheated. It happens. If you do end up pulling the head DO makes sure to have it checked and machined as needed.

This.

[87path]

Thanks much for the helpful responses. I was hoping it was the tranny cooler line and maybe a defective radiator (its one year old), but the tranny fluid level is fine and ruby red. I re-checked the radiator fluid and the layer of oil on top of the coolant is coffee brown, so I'm fairly certain it's motor oil. I'll be sure to look at getting the head machined. Any advice on how to go about looking for a good machinist that works on cylinder heads in my local area? Do they advertise in the yellow pages? Maybe I should call a couple of repair shops and ask for references.

[87path]

I'll first be sure to look at doing a pressue test as well - Thanks again