Cracked Head Gasket Health Question

[pedrothe]

I am pretty sure my 1992 Accord may have a cracked head gasket. When I start the car after a cold night it's recently starting to blow thick white smoke out of the tailpipe. Also I do know that the car also burns a little oil.

Yesterday I also noticed a small trace of white smoke coming from under the hood when I in the drive letting the car warm up. It was the first time I had noticed it; I could see that is was coming from a smallish type hose. Not sure which one; I am cluess about cars.

It was concerning but I had to drive back home afterthanksgiving; a 2 1/2 drive. The engine never gets hot and the car runs fine.

My questions is I am scared that harmful carbon monoxide may be 'leaking' into the car while I am driving? Yesterday I shut off all the vents to try and minimize any potential leak. Is what I am describing; the likely cracked head gasket problem, a health danger? Can carbon monoxide leak into the car somehow? Or am I being paranoid?

[MagicRat]

As I posted in another thread one of my cars has the same concerns.
It sounds as if your diagnosis is correct, the engine is burning coolant. Chances are that bit of white smoke under the hood is blow-by gases, that is, combustion gases are seeping past the piston rings and getting into the crank case.
Some blow-by is normal, but usually you cant see it because it is vented into the engine through the PCV valve and a vent tube which goes into the air cleaner or intake manifold. Perhaps this vent tube has fallen off, so you are seeing the smoke. If so, it shoudl be reinstalled.
Now, since burning coolant is unusual, some bad things are happening: 1. The oil is becoming contaminated with coolant, which will eventually shorten the life of the rest of the engine. 2. Burning coolant will contaminate the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor, reducing their effectiveness. 3. Burning coolant has glycol, which is poisonous, if you breathe enough of it in. 4. The problem will only get worse and might leave you broken down and stranded somewhere.

You need to get this fixed by removing the cylinder head and replacing the gasket. Have the head thoroughly checked for gasket surface straighness and for cracks. Have the mechanic check the engine block for cracks or damage, (although this is rarely the cause for such problems.)
Rebuilding the head is a good idea, as often, oil burining problems can be traced to worn valve guides, which are in the head. This is the time to get that head thoroughly rebuilt to correct all these problems.

[pedrothe]

Thanks for your input and advice. The car isn't worth fixing to be honest
and typically just drive it locally like 5 miles at a time.

But do you think there is a significant health risk driving this car? If you have any thoughts on that greatly appreciated. Obviously I don't want to risk my health.

[CBFryman]

a new head gasket, if replaced by yourself, doesnt take long or cost much. less than $100. and PCV valve can easily be taken care of by a local mehcanic. blown head gakets arent somehting to fool around with. really, unless you plan on standing behind your car breahting exaust thinking you are geting high or something (i just came in from some fiberglass work, thats a good feeling) the health hazards arent too prevelant. but killing your O2 sensor and spraying coolant all in your oil isnt a good thing....id rather drive 5 miles than walk 2 1/2.

[benchtest]

Pedrothe, to answer your question...a blown head gasket will not leak carbon monoxide into the vehicle. The only connection from engine to passenger compartment is the heater core, which will give off a sweet smell if it is leaking. You're not getting any more CO into the car now than prior to the head gasket failure. If the car is really that bad, there are some additives you can put in to temporarily seal the leak (they may not work at all also, but I know someone who bought himself another 4 months of driving with the stuff). It's a cheap attempt to band-aid it, NOT a fix. Good luck.

[pedrothe]

So I brought the car into a trusted mechanic today and it appears as though I have a cracked exhaust manifold. Which I am told is very dangerous because yes I probably have been exposed to carbon monoxide getting into the drivers' area. I typically only drive 15 minutes when I do drive the car so hopefully I wasn't too 'permanently' exposed.

Got to get rid of this car fast via donation I'm thinking. It's not worth fixing, other stuff I'm sure would go soon anyway.

Originally Posted by benchtest

Pedrothe, to answer your question...a blown head gasket will not leak carbon monoxide into the vehicle. The only connection from engine to passenger compartment is the heater core, which will give off a sweet smell if it is leaking. You're not getting any more CO into the car now than prior to the head gasket failure. If the car is really that bad, there are some additives you can put in to temporarily seal the leak (they may not work at all also, but I know someone who bought himself another 4 months of driving with the stuff). It's a cheap attempt to band-aid it, NOT a fix. Good luck.

[chowmein]

i would recommend replacing the gasket head as well as the thermostat. If the engine is overheating its most likely a broken thermostat. you might wanna empty and purge your coolant tubes as well

[383PhoenixAm]

There seems to be a lot of closed-mindedness here.
White smoke from the tailpipe does not necessarily mean a head gasket problem. During this season many cars actually have a lot of smoke in the mornings. If you drive your car a few times during the day and it still smokes, however, then you can begin to expect things. First, though, be sure that the exhaust smoke color is pure white. Oil burning can have the slightest blue tinge to it. Second, check your coolant level. If it is constantly getting lower and lower, this may be a problem. Third; if it is not too much trouble, pull your spark plugs and inspect them for strange conditions (looking VERY closely). If you are still convinced it is a head gasked problem then you can start to look at it. Don't be so quick to condemn it, though, as it would be pretty dumb to go and point the blame on it and go through the trouble of worrying before performing a compression test to be sure that the gasket is, in fact, leaking. This..isn't likely..
Also, exhaust gasses are in the engine all the time. That's why we change our oil.