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Diagnose Internal Leak

bam_bam1ca

Active Member
Joined
January 7, 2007
Messages
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City, State
kitchener, Ontario
Year, Model & Trim Level
1998 XLT, 1970 Olds 442
Greetings forum members.

I have a 98 EX with 4.0L pushrod engine. While doing routine oil change today I noticed some white residue on the drain plug, and I inspected the oil filler cap there was also some white gel on the botton from coolant in the oil. The oil didn't appear to have much coolant in it (a very small trace, but could be seen if you looked hard). So it appears that I have the start of a leak and have to get at it before there is some real damage.

My question is, what is the easiest method to determine if this is a lower intake leak, or a head gasket. I don't want to do a whole lot of work that is not necessary by pulling the heads if this is just an intake gasket. I'm not seeing any signs of overheating or difference in the engine temperatures, so I am first suspecting the intake gasket.

Comments....help??
 






You have no problem. It's completely normal for this time of year in the great white north. It's oil vapor/mist condensing on a cool surface (under-side of the cap). Search and you will see this comes up at least twice a week in the wintertime.

-Joe
 






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