Issues with 3100 Motor ... Head Gasket or something else ...?

[cryptnix]

I was going to a Holland W-Body meet yesterday and as I was backing up she seemed all hesitant, whenever it gets (most of the time) above 200+ degrees (i have a 180 thermostat on my 3100 motor) she starts to feel that way.

A couple days back I was backing the car up, matted it (to feel that wonderful 160hp in reverse...) white smoke (not alot) but some came out from the exaust (obviously). Am I looking at a head gasket or ... ?

Help me out please! I have no loss of coolant (yet), no milkshake colored oil, or anything else.

What could it be?

[public]

White smoke could also be tranny fluid from the modulator valve
(if you have one,depends on year/tranny) it can also be beake fluid (rarely).
This motor is known for intake manifold coolant leaks.
Keep checking others here will have more info I'm sure. Also search the forum for this vehicle. Good Luck.

[cryptnix]

yeah, the wierd thing is that i never see any white smoke pouring ... its either that or something else ...

i'll take it in some place to get the codes checked again ... cause my first issue was an issue with the knock sensor being dead... who knows perhaps i should unplug the battery for a while and let it sit ...

*shrugs*

[quaddriver]

Its 6-8 hrs in/out for the intake, add another 2 for the heads if those gaskets are bad. unless the coolant is being pressurized by the motor, or the oil is mixing, or you are losing coolant - forget about it.