Blown head gasket on a Lumina, but is it really blown?

[skid2964]

It is a '95 Lumina with a V6, white steam is coming from the tailpipe, my first impression, blown head gasket. But can the intake leak coolant into the intake runners and cause this?

I heard a machanic say there was a problem with the intake systems on the Lumina that can mimick a blown head gasket, anyone heard of this?

[blazee]

Yes an intake gasket can leak coolant in to the combustion chamber causing steam out the tailpipe.

What color Anti-freeze does your car have? If it is the orange (DEXCOOL)......an intake gasket is the most likely culprit although it could be a head gasket it is unlikely. DEXCOOL is notorious for eating intake gaskets. If you do have DEXCOOL and it did eat your gasket, you will need to get your cooling system flushed.

If you have the green antifreeze there is about an equal chance for either one.

Make sure there is no coolant in your oil. If there is it is most likely a head gasket.

[dwalmop]

Coolant in oil is, in fact, a major symptom of a bad intake gasket. Your mechanic should be able to run a couple quick tests to find out whether it is a head gasket or intake gasket.

[travelair]

I had coolant in my oil because of the lower intake manifold gasket. Not easy to replace but not nearly as bad as the head.

Coolant circulates through the intake to warm the air entering the cylinders.