I'm burning coolant

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Feb 3, 2007 | 12:12 PM

K man

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Joined: May 2006

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I'm burning coolant

Hi, I have a 95 F150 with the straight 6. Recently I noticed that the coolant slowly leaks, so I checked all the hoses and tightend evrything. Now I realize that the exhaust is always white and steamy, even after running for a while, and it smells sweet like coolant.

I'm thinking its probably a head gasket, but what else could it be? Could the head be cracked? Should I have it compression tested?

I live in michigan so its snowy and cold this time of year, can this fix wait till summer?

One more question- the engine has always used quite a bit of oil (around a q a month, maybe more), but doesn't seem to have smoky exhaust. What could be causing this, and is it anything I could fix while I ave the head off?

Thanks guys!

Feb 4, 2007 | 11:18 AM

ubereal2

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From: Lexington Mo

Sounds like you atleast have a blown headgasket. Would have the head looked at to make sure you have no warpage and checked for cracks, also clean the top of the block and look for cracks between cylnder heads, and jackets.

Bob

Feb 6, 2007 | 09:29 PM

NavyMIDN08

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Joined: Nov 2005

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join the club with michigan's cold spell. How long has it been leaking? with our recent cold spell up here (i'm in the UP) its possible that you cracked something, i wouldn't want to put it off too long, or you may end up with a pair of three cylinders. talk a buddy into using a warm garage and at a minimum replace that gasket. like ubereal said, get that head checked while its off.