Head gasket issues

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
171,235 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • AUTOMATIC
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DEANS84
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Coolant reservoir below cold mark after a day, but the first day I checked for bubbles there was some air bubbles in radiator when car was running after I had to add some coolant to it. Then yesterday radiator was still full and reservoir was at cold mark, when the day before I filled it in-between hot and cold. Any other way to test head gasket issues at home? I am on fixed income so it is kind of hard to go buy test kits etc., but like if I was to go start it and rev it up some tail pipe spits a lot.
Sep 17, 2018 at 9:13 AM
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DEANS84
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What is that cream color stuff?
Image (Click to enlarge)
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Sep 17, 2018 at 12:12 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

Here is a link that shows how to check for a head gasket issue. Let me know if it helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Also, here is a link that discusses the different types of smoke from the exhaust:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/excessive-smoke-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe



Let me know if this helps.

Take care,
Joe
Sep 17, 2018 at 5:58 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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By the way, a creamy substance in the coolant usually indicates there is oil mixing with it. That, in turn, usually indicates a bad head gasket. Make sure the motor oil is not contaminated.
Sep 18, 2018 at 5:20 PM
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DEANS84
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Did you see the picture? I started it up some smoke then tried it a little and there was more smoke. Two days ago the radiator leaked out side tank.
Sep 19, 2018 at 11:13 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi.
I did see the picture of the coolant/creamy substance. Usually, when the two mix, it becomes a light tan color substance. Is the smoke from the exhaust? Is it white? Have you tried the tests in the link I attached?
Sep 19, 2018 at 5:39 PM
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DEANS84
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Here is a video of exhaust:
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Sep 20, 2018 at 8:27 AM
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DEANS84
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Oil on dipstick looks normal to me.
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Sep 20, 2018 at 8:28 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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The oil looks fine. The exhaust does not seem out of the ordinary, either. You could be getting oil into the cooling regardless. Did you check for air bubbles in the coolant when the engine was running?
Sep 21, 2018 at 8:44 PM