1993 pickup DLX extea cab 3.0 V6 a/t..
Hey guys some advice please: the truck over heated due to leaking radiator, which I fixed, now Im losing coolant into intake, I can tell because my exhaust is white smoke and theres a little milkshake under the oil cap. I pulled the intake and the valley is full of coolant, but i cant tell if its coming from the intake gaskets leaking or the head gaskets. When the head gasket(s) leak, do they usually leak coolant into the valley? Or is it possible its just the two intake gaskets that leaked and the coolant is being pulled into the intake from there? The head gaskets were replaced only a couple years ago and dont look like they are leaking externally. Thank you!

 

White smoke, milk shake most likely blown head gasket.
Does the motor run?
If so and you want verify, do a pressure test and /or chemical test to check for exhaust gases in coolant.

 

Thanks ksti, yes it still runs. Just the valley being full of coolant has me wondering about the intake gaskets being the cause. I know I should pull the heads and do the gaskets, i was just trying to save having to do that.

 

Im going to clean all the coolant up and see if i can see where it might be leaking.

 

Pressure test will show just where it might be leaking

 

Yes, but i have the intake off already...I was wondering if anybody had any experience with headgaskets leaking coolant externally into the valley between the cylinders. No worries, thank you for you replies! I ordered a head gasket set.

 

One you have the intake manifold off, you're 90% of the way there. So even if you were unsure the head gasket was leaking, it would be worth it now to replace it.

Of course, you now have to consider whether you'll hire a machine shop to face the valves. There's no easy answer to that; it's not cheap, but it is good insurance.

No matter what you do, you should replace the "pigtail" wire from the knock sensor to the connector just outside of the intake manifold. It's in a hellish environment and fails often (at the vintage of our trucks). And it's not that hard to get one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/92-93-94-95-...-/171787085657

 

I found one big leak at the coolant pipe to block junction, at front where two 6mm bolts attach the pipe to the block behind the water pump. You can see it my picture above. That is where the majority of my coolant leak was. Im trying to avoid doing the head gaskets if i dont need to, im actally only about 30% of the way there, the exhaust and heads still need to come off and the exhaust is a bitch.

Thanks scope103 I know about the knock sensor; I did a workaround on this one to make it pass smog a couple years ago...I mounted a new sensor to a plate I bolted to the left head and ran a new pigtail to it. I just left the old sensor in place...you can see it in the puc too. I guess Ill replace it too while im here. BTW, im not doing the valves, this truck is my teenage daughters school transport and school starts next week!

 

scope103 makes a good point and I agree even if you don't do the valves.

 

#3 & #6 were leaking
I gave up, I pulled the heads and both gaskets are blown, so im all in! Thanks guys!