Vt v6 head gasket or inlet manifold?

[jimbojones889]

Hi guys,

Just wanting some advice on whether I have a head gasket or inlet manifold gasket problem.

Got some sludgy stuff under the rad cap, and slowly the oil seams to be getting low. No milky stuff under the oil cap and the temp is fine. Not losing coolant. Mecanic reckons its the head gasket but I dont have a clue what to believe, first it was the inlet now its the head gasket? What do we think?

Thanks.

[monkeys437]

Get a compression test done. If the compression is fine on all cylinders I'd be leaning towards manifold gasket since its such a common issue

[elmaso]

does it take a little more to kick over? and does it look like its throwing out water from the exhaust?

[Mohi]

Same happened to me last week , all fixed and was the maifold gaskit , if you look in my posts under the name WHAT IS This SLUDGE... It got all pics and stuff.. Might help.

Would had copied the link but replying thru iphone.. So sorry

[vnkid]

I'd say Inlet, because your oil is getting low as it's being sucked out in the vacuum created by the cooling system. No milky stuff would suggest it might not be the head gasket and the coolant is not getting low, but i'm sure it's getting very dirty. Replace the inlet manifold gasket first (job should be under $300 with a flush) and see how that goes.

[jimbojones889]

Inlet gasket was pretty screwed according to the "new" mechanic. Bolts were pretty loose as well, so heres hoping itsjust that and nothing else. Thanks for the advice