1996 3.4l apv "using" coolant??

[BGALLO]

I have a 96 apv, 3.4litre with 111,000 miles on it. Lately I've been having to add antifreeze to the overflow tank. There appear to be no external leaks, there is no white smoke coming out of the exhaust and no apparent a/f in the oil. Last night however, my ses light came on while driving and I noticed the coolant was again low. I pulled out the pcv valve and it looked like it had a combination of oil and a/f on it!! Still no a/f in the oil when I check on the dipstick?? Can anybody lead me to some checks? Thanks.

[LMP]

THis is typical of the "3.1/3.4" syndrome: head gasket failure. Search this forum or the Transport forum with keywords "head gasket" and you will find a lot of similar complaints. THis failure is normally accompanied by overheating, steaming, fluctuating temp needle, and random heater performance (heat/no heat).
THe "intake gasket" failure also comes as a problem and is often credited alone for these symptoms but if you go for head gasket changes, it will go with it of course. I would be reluctant to go for the intake gasket only just to have to return for the head gaskets later, but check the Venture forum for lots of details about intake gasket. THe last details you provide really point towards a head gasket failure....

It is not a party to go for such a repair job and bravo if the problem turns out as something more benign..but so many occurrences - all across the years - indicate that issue must be investigated instead of loosing time and money for short cuts: so many have changed radiators, pumps, thermostats and added magic additives, just to end up having to go for the real cause afterwards on top of it all.

By hte way, "white smoke" at the exhaust as sign of a leak is rather a myth because each gallon of fuel that is burned gives over a gallon of water (as vapour) as a combustion by product, in addition to CO and CO2, which is way way more than an internal coolant leak......so much more "white smoke" would come from normal operation (which it does and in fact condenses in the exhaust and drips from the tail pipe until the engine/pipe is warm enough ) than from a tiny leak.