92 Cutlass Cierra radiator problem

[TP_Nate]

I have a 92 Cutlass Cierra 3.3 liter. Its ran fine all winter and now on a warm day I've noticed it smokes white smoke out the left side of the engine bay (drivers side) It smells like something is burning badly like burnt leaves almost. I had it into the shop and they replaced the thermostat and the thermostat gasket housing. I got it back and it ran fine but yesterday it was doing the same thing. starting to smoke from the same spot, smells the same everything. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[TP_Nate]

Ok lets see here, in the resorvoir tank I've got a brownish color so I am guessing that would be oil, it hasn't smoked in some time, but it has been cold and I have been constantly adding fresh coolant to it. It only smokes on warm days. I've ran it and immediately after I open the hood with the car running check for leaks can't see anything, but I can smell oil, don't know if its residual or not, I am thinking, it has to be either my intake manifold gasket, valve cover gasket, or possibly a cracked head gasket, it is 13 years old, still all original gaskets. Any and all feedback would be appreciated, I just want to know if I am on the right track. no engine lights no water temp lights have gone off during this smoking.

[TP_Nate]

I'm going to have to change the head gaskets on this bad boy, but I was wondering if any of you have had any success with gasket sealer like therma-seal or any other gasket sealers where it succesfully seals up the cracked gasket. I mean if I have to I will try to do this job, but if I mess it up, its up in smoke, but if I do nothing its up in smoke anyway. Just wondering if there's any success stories out there. Thanks guys.

[Chris Stewart]

Looks like you're the pioneer on this Nate, I'm not familiar with your car but what you're doing makes sense. Be sure to have a manual handy.
It looks like GM spec'ed gaskets during early to middle '90's that seeped and didn't hold good. I'd recommend Felpro Perma-torque gaskets and avoid Detroit Gaskets brand. This might be a good time to change the timing chain too since there will be lots of room, Make some notes and even take some pictures if you like. Let us know how it goes.
Good Luck!

[TP_Nate]

thanks for the advice. I just purchased the 1992 tech service manual for the Cutlass Ciera. So hopefully it will have all the steps needed to open it up and get to the gaskets. I will look into replacing the timing chain on this too. Wish me luck.