2001 possible head gasket problem?

[wessoc]

Hey there, Need a little help!! I just had my oil changed and while the mechanic was checking the fluids noticed that the coolant was a little low. The coolant cap was also foamy, like oil was getting back into the system.The oil itself looked ok.My question---where is the coolant going and why am I not seeing my oil show up foamy. how do I tell if I have a head gasket problem? Could there be anything else that I should have looked at? If it is a head gasket how much $$$ am I looking at?

[kustomkid54]

When was the last time you check your coolant? Maybe be something that is happen over a long time frame.

[wessoc]

Originally Posted by wessoc

Hey there, Need a little help!! I just had my oil changed and while the mechanic was checking the fluids noticed that the coolant was a little low. The coolant cap was also foamy, like oil was getting back into the system.The oil itself looked ok.My question---where is the coolant going and why am I not seeing my oil show up foamy. how do I tell if I have a head gasket problem? Could there be anything else that I should have looked at? If it is a head gasket how much $$$ am I looking at?

oil is changed on a regular schedule at the same place each time .3,000 miles and this place checks the fluids also. So this problem has occured within a 2 month period, and the coolant was low but I did not have any overheating problem nor was it low enough to trigger an indicator light.

[GTP Dad]

Is your engine a 3.9 non SC engine? If it is I would suspect that you may have a problem with the intake manifold. If you had a bad head gasket you would see other evidence such as white smoke coming from the exhaust or a misfire code on the computer due to the plugs fouling. You could also have a small leak in the radiator or the coolant bottle that is not showing up on the ground under the car. Finally, you could have a small leak in the heater core. All of these items would cause you to lose coolant. Keep tabs on the level and look for tell tale signs that is the only way you are likely to find the problem.

[wessoc]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Is your engine a 3.9 non SC engine? If it is I would suspect that you may have a problem with the intake manifold. If you had a bad head gasket you would see other evidence such as white smoke coming from the exhaust or a misfire code on the computer due to the plugs fouling. You could also have a small leak in the radiator or the coolant bottle that is not showing up on the ground under the car. Finally, you could have a small leak in the heater core. All of these items would cause you to lose coolant. Keep tabs on the level and look for tell tale signs that is the only way you are likely to find the problem.

Thanks for the feedback. I took the car to a mech. that I know and he said that he didn't think that I had a problem. He seems to think that the foam that was seen on the radiator cap was the silicon or something in the fluid that was breaking down. I am going to have the radiator flushed and new coolant put in and keep a close I on it. car runs great, oil is fine and I don't see any smoke . I will keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.