1997 Monte 3.1

[ffgus]

I have a 1997 Monte Carlo, 3.1, with 53000 miles. I have a low coolant light on, milky substance on the underside of the oil fill cap, and the oil dip stick has a light brown tinge to it. The coolant is brown sludge, in the radiator and the reservoir. I am thinking head gasket. If this is so, what is a fair price for repair. What else could be possibly be wrong besides head gasket?
Thanks in advance...
Gus

[wrightz28]

I think you hit the nail on the head (sorry, no pun intended).

Get several esitmates for comparison, it won't be cheap.

[richtazz]

The intake gasket leak these engines are infamous for will pump coolant into the oil, so do a compression test and cooling system pressure test before tearing the heads off. An intake job is much simpler and less expensive than a head gasket job.

[ffgus]

Originally Posted by richtazz

The intake gasket leak these engines are infamous for will pump coolant into the oil, so do a compression test and cooling system pressure test before tearing the heads off. An intake job is much simpler and less expensive than a head gasket job.

I had the engine looked at by a mechanic, and his diagnosis is the intake manifold gasket as well a O2 sensors. Thanks to all the help.