Just wondering if overnight i could be gettin a good amout of condensation in the exhaust and it is just evaporating it. I havent touched the rad cap since i first got the car but the coolant level seems fine. Im just hoping that one of the head gaskets arent blown.

 

The hole can help contribute to condensation, if that's what you're asking...since the y-pipe is before the cat, you should be able to take a "taste" of the moisture and tell if any antifreeze is in it, if so, then you're burning some coolant, if not..no problem, assuming there's coolant in the system.

 

yea there is coolant in the system but im almost afraid to tase or smell the moisture when she first starts up its definately noticeable but eventually disipates. ive put my hand over the exhaust & let it collect but never tasted it. guess it would have a sweet taste if its anti-freeze right?

 

Yes, taste's like it smells. No need to give it a big happy lick, just the tip of your tounge.

 

well, i smelled the exhaust smoke tonite and it smelled sweet to me. looks like im gonna do some head gaskets . At least this gives me a reason to port the TPI unit and clean up my headers and whatnot.

 

Don't jump to any conclusions.....

If the "WHITE SMOKE" is dissapearing after a few minutes it's JUST MOISTURE!!!!

I wouldn't be tearing it apart UNTIL you pull some plugs & verify what's goin on OR keep an eye on your coolant level and see if it is dropping.

Good Luck.

 

ALSO!!!!!!!!!

THICK THICK white smoke is a problem. Not regular THIN white smoke!

If you really do have a problem you will notice it right away!

 

A little bit of antifreeze smell in the exhaust doesn't always mean it's a headgasket, may just be the intake gasket not sealing well.

Might be a good idea to have it checked it at a shop, just to see how far you *have* to go in to the engine.

Then again, once the intake is off...the heads sure do look inviting as well

 

well, my oil looks great, nice and clean so i dont know what the hell is goin on. what do u guys this is the best course of action here. i dont wanna have to get rid of this car, cause if u do im done with the f-body cause this will be my second 'bird that was crap.

 

Well, to fully diag it, you'd need to take it in (assuming you don't have the tools or can't get them/make'em up) and have the cooling system pressure tested, have a compression test run, maybe a leakdown test as well to islolate one cylinder.

Thing is, once you've payed for that and left the car in the shop for all that time, you'd be well on your way to having the intake off...inspection of the intake gasket's and intake runners should tell you if your problem came from there, or if you need to go farther and pull the heads.

If you're strapped for bucks and time, try some Bars Leak in it, see if it seals up.

 

well i got a whole shop at my disposal cause i work at a gas/service station. I gotta see if my boss will cut me a break and diagnose it for me cause i need to get this thing on the road. shes the fastest thing in town but gives me problems left & right.

 

well, i slept on it and im gonna swing by my work and see what my boss can do, either way i got a feeling im gonna be pulling the intake cause this is really pissin me off. i figure the motor hasnt been under much strain since i had the car so im gonna hope its all in the intake. If or when i do pull it off what should i be looking for in the way of a leak?

 

GTA,

Looks like it's finally time to "touch" the radiator cap. Pressure test the system COLD, before everything expands from heat. The system should maintain 15 PSI indefinitely.

Cold starts in humid air will generate a noticable amount of steam in the exhaust steam. Even without a coolant leak, the odor of he exhaust can be perceived as sweet since it has been partly converted by the cold catalyst bed. Don't jump to conclusions and presume you have a coolant leak - these things often get worse as the engine warms, not better. The cold pressure test should be a good start to diagnosing the situation.

Aside from that, a hole in the 'Y' pipe is never a good thing, but that is a different problem.

 

well tomorrow is gonna be my big day to run around and pick up stuff for the car. fill up the coolant, pick up a stoplight switch a couple bulbs and whatnot. gonna talk to my boss also. gonna see if he can do a cold pressure test for me. keep u guys updated as things come

 

well, problems solved. seems my lower radiator hose was loose but the coolant would only leak when the system was pressurized. that and the radiator to resiv. hose had a crack in it u couldnt see unless u were to bend it. tightened up the clamp and replaced the hose and now no coolant leak. so looks like in gonna be keepin the car just a little while longer. thinkin about runnin some happy gas to her. maybe a 50hp shot. Somethin mild for those times when u need that little bit of HP to edge out on that stang or *****.