[:'(] Driving home last night the oil light came on briefly. No big issue added 1/4 quart of oil. Drove into work this morning about 20 miles and as I got in the engine started to spudder, the oil light come on and a small amount of smoke billowed from under the hood. I shut the engine off and coasted into my spot. No fluids were pouring from under the car so,I checked the dipstick, small amount of sludge (I asume water/coolant) on the stick, smelled like coolant. The smoke seemed to be coming from the back side of the motor. Is it the head gasket?

I have read a few other postings and saw PCV system checks, with similar symptoms.How, or are these things related? I called a local shop and "off the top of his head" $2,500.00-$3,000.00 to fix. Seeing as how I bought the car two years ago for $1,600.00 that doesn't seem like the right option. I would do it myself if it sounds like a practicaljob for the shadetree mech. Any feedback is deeply appreciated. Mike

 

Did the car seem to be overheating?

Sounds like it might have overheated and blew the headgasket out.

 

Thanks for the quick response. So assuming it is the head gasket. Is this a job for me? I have mechanical ability and feel comfortable with taking on the task. Is this do able or better left to the pros? I have read some of the related threads and have spoke to a local mechanic the price sounds pretty standard from $2,000-$3,000. If I could get away with a couple hundred in parts and my bruised pride and knuckles I would try it. I have a Haynes manual, is that enough info to get it done or just get into trouble. Just looking without the book here at work, it looks pretty simple, spark plug cover, cam cover, turbo tube, timing cover, mark distributor and top dead center from timing gear and pull manifold. Any thoughts or other tricks to the task?
Mike

 

Its really not that bad just takes some time.