Date:         Sun, 18 Sep 2005 08:03:16 -0700
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Symptoms of Blown Headgasket on Non-Vanagon
Comments: To: Taobythesea@aol.com
In-Reply-To:  <ea.7154f686.305ed7b3@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

> 
> I think it is an exhaust manifold gasket but her mechanic told her on the
> phone that it
> could be a "blown head gasket". What are the symptoms of a BHG? I thought
> you
> would have coolant loss at least, or coolant in the oil? Could it still be
> the BHG if the
> car is no longer overheating? Thanks for any advice you can give her.
> 

Yeah, usually head gasket failures have more dire symptoms than just an 
exhaust leak, e.g. engine would run rough from the leaking cylinder's charge 
blowing out on the compression stroke. If it's LOUD and the car continues to 
run halfway decent otherwise, 99.9% sure it's an exhaust gasket; but like 
that mechanic who also hasn't seen/heard it in person, I'd hate to be the 
guy who told her "$" and have it turn out to be "$$$".