did i blow the headgasket?

[BDS13driver]

hi all.

here is what happened. few days ago while i was on my way home i smell something burning like oil/cluthch/exhaust gas fume. since i don't know where it is coming from i ignore it until i got home. i poped the hood to see if anything is burning. and nothing is found. so the next day on my way to work.

i saw the oil light come on for a sec and then off. and i was like wth ? and thought i might just seeing things. and then after like a 3 or so mins. it come on for a sec and then off. so i was like this is not usual. and pull over and pop the hood. i check the dip stick for oil. and to my suprise it was empty/dry. I was like $h17. seeing that i was about a mile away from home.

so i drive slowly back home and start pouring oil into the engine. pour like 2 bottles. and check for oil lvl. and it was still empty. then i pour 2 more. and check the oil again. this time it is up to the normal level. so i start up the car and see if there is anything wrong with it. about 30sec or so i see oil on the ground. and at this point i know it wasn't good. so i just shut off the car and take the other car to work since i'm running late. so today i went to check it out again and see where the oil is leaking from and what not.

i found nothing, however when it start up the car. it takes a lil longer than usual to start it up. about 5~10 secs more. and it sounds really loud. pop the hood check for oil level. oil level seems fine. but then there is this white stuff on it as well. i'm thinking that the head gasket might have blew. what you guys think ? if i did blew it what are my options ? my budget is kinda low(~$1k) given with how bad the economic right now. should i rebuild the thing ? swap in another engine ?

here is the spec on the car.
99 2.5gt sedan
171,xxx miles
head gasket was replaced @ 156,xxx according to the dealer i got it from.

that doesny sound like the HG to me, i may be wrong but if it were, thered be water/ coolant in your oil, crankcase

at least thats what happened to me

[Huffer]

Where was the oil leaking from? Get under the car with it on some ramps while it's running and see if you can see a leak.

[Zedhead]

After You follow Huffers suggestion.

It's prolly time to service the crankcase ventilation system. More than likely, Your building pressure in the crankcase. Forcing oil, either out gaskets, or past the rings.

[2.5GT]

I'm not sure if i read the whole thing right :lol:

But are you checking your oil with the car running?

[BDS13driver]

I'm not sure if i read the whole thing right :lol:

But are you checking your oil with the car running?

nah the car wasn't running when i check the oil, but then again it shouldn't show up dry if i even do that, does it ?

[BDS13driver]

Where was the oil leaking from? Get under the car with it on some ramps while it's running and see if you can see a leak.

was planning to do that today, but it gets too cold, so i guess i will do that first thing tomorrow.

[99gtlimited]

is the car overheating? also if they already did the head gaskets it's possible the block/heads were warped and not resurfaced properly, causing bad compression and leaks.

[BDS13driver]

is the car overheating? also if they already did the head gaskets it's possible the block/heads were warped and not resurfaced properly, causing bad compression and leaks.
nah the car wasn't overheating or anything. however there is this one time that i notice the water temp gauge went a tiny bit high. like a tiny bit over the middle. and that was like about a month to a month and a half ago.

when i got the chance to get under the car and have a look today. this is what i've found out. from what i can see. it is leaking/dripping from the cam shaft area on the driver side. and the moment I have let it run for like 3 or so mins. i can see the oil dripping from that area. here is a crappy cellphone pic. i know the quality is the worst but it kinda give the idea where it is coming from.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2008/11/DSC00153-1.jpg so at this point what are some of my options ? i know the next step would be checking the compression on each cylinders.

thanks agian

[99gtlimited]

pic is pretty hard to see anything other than a hose.

but..... the good news,

sounds to me like you have had a catastrophic failure of your valve cover gasket. a very easy fix as long as there is no permanent damage, or something else going on that you can't see.

so, i would say next step is change your valve cover gaskets, might as well do both sides since you don't want it to happen on the other side anytime soon. This is a common leak and will drain oil rather fast when the car is running.

good luck!!

[BDS13driver]

i'll give that a try.

thanks for the advice

[Zedhead]

Personally, With the many posts I've read about PVC problems, I'd service the pvc before I did anything else.

Lotsa times if You get the crankcase vent system functioning properly. It'll alleviate most leaks. It only takes a little pressure to force oil past seals/gaskets.

[99gtlimited]

yeah but once you have compromised those gaskets they need to be replaced, so yeah get a new PCV valve while you're at it, they're only a like $5 and incredibly easy to install.

i still say valve cover gasket!

[BDS13driver]

i've replaced both the gaskets and the pcv valve but that doesn't seem to stop the leak, the next step would have to take it to the mechanic. the worst scenario would be replace the engine. anyone know any reputable shop in the nyc area that does this kind of work ?

[BDS13driver]

after many struggles.. I've finally decided to let the mechanic deal with it and it turns out that the seal on the cam shaft is fubar. thus the leaking. i think i kinda got lucky that i caught it before any major damage happens. also the mechanic told me that whoever is doing the maintenance on this car/engine cheap out and didn't replace the necessary part when they change the timing belt thus this happens. so while i had the car at the mechanic.. I've the follow stuff replaceds. water pump, t-stat, seals. timing belt tensioner. and some other items which i forgot. altho the bill didn't come out too cheap but it is still less expansive than finding a replacement engine.