Could I have a blown head gasket?

[88 Fox GT]

Well, the other day I noticed yellow gunk buildup in my filler neck and was told I probably had water in my oil. So, I figured my intake gasket might have messed up when I installed it a few weeks ago because the problem started after I had done that. During this whole time, I started to notice that my car had developed a loss in power (which could be my clutch slipping) and a popping on deceleration. I have also started to get a back fire when shifting. I shift and the engine bogs down and pops ones or twice. It only backfires every once in awhile. My timing is right on at the stock 10°, so it's not the timing.
Yesterday, I changed my intake gasket again and drove to work and back today. I haven't checked the oil or anything yet, but I'm still getting the popping on decel and the occasional backfire. What's the deal? Could the head gasket be blown? I'm contemplating just bitting the bullet and rebuilding the damn engine and be done with the problems. :damnit:

 

[TheUser]

well as you mentioned, the clutch will cause the car to accellerate very poorly...mine felt like a 4cyc or something.

Do you have any exhaust leaks or holes in the exhaust? That can sometimes cause popping sounds when letting off the gas.

I would double check the timing again and look for a spun balancer; it just sounds like timing to me.

Have you done any work recently besides the intake? Have you overheated recently? I don't think blown headgaskets are very common unless high compression, nitrous or forced induction are involved although I'm sure they do happen from time to time.

Do you have any smoke out of your exhaust? Black=running rich; Blue=burning oil; white=water in oil

You could check your compression or do a leak down test to maybe narrow down a blown headgasket/bad rings/valve seals.

I'd check the oil and inspect/smell it and pull codes before anything though.

Have you pulled codes? Here's a link to a post by Jrichker showing how to do it w/ just a paperclip or jumper wire: http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=566924

Good Luck

 

[jaymac]

yellow gunk= coolant in oil.
I hope you changed the oil after you replaced intake gaskets!! If not, there's still water in the oil, which could be destroying your bearings.
I am on day 3 of my head gasket swap after blowing mine on Wed. As soon as I saw the yellow gunk the next day, I changed the oil immediately and stopped driving the car. Pull your dipstick an see if there's any water. There probably is.
An intake gasket could have done that, bt after swapping and changing the oil, there should be no water in the oil.
How's your temp? Aftermarket temp gauge?
Are you using water?
My vote is for head gasket.

 

[88 Fox GT]

well as you mentioned, the clutch will cause the car to accellerate very poorly...mine felt like a 4cyc or something.

Do you have any exhaust leaks or holes in the exhaust? That can sometimes cause popping sounds when letting off the gas.

I would double check the timing again and look for a spun balancer; it just sounds like timing to me.

Have you done any work recently besides the intake? Have you overheated recently? I don't think blown headgaskets are very common unless high compression, nitrous or forced induction are involved although I'm sure they do happen from time to time.

Do you have any smoke out of your exhaust? Black=running rich; Blue=burning oil; white=water in oil

You could check your compression or do a leak down test to maybe narrow down a blown headgasket/bad rings/valve seals.

I'd check the oil and inspect/smell it and pull codes before anything though.

Have you pulled codes? Here's a link to a post by Jrichker showing how to do it w/ just a paperclip or jumper wire: http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=566924

Good Luck

I never thought about it, but yes, I have a small exhaust leak where the header bolts to the exhaust. That could be causing my popping.

I have not pulled any codes recently. I have a code checker that I usually use from time to time, I could probably see if I can get any abnormal codes now. The only smoke I ever see from the exhaust is the blue burning oil when I get on it really hard.

yellow gunk= coolant in oil.
I hope you changed the oil after you replaced intake gaskets!! If not, there's still water in the oil, which could be destroying your bearings.
I am on day 3 of my head gasket swap after blowing mine on Wed. As soon as I saw the yellow gunk the next day, I changed the oil immediately and stopped driving the car. Pull your dipstick an see if there's any water. There probably is.
An intake gasket could have done that, bt after swapping and changing the oil, there should be no water in the oil.
How's your temp? Aftermarket temp gauge?
Are you using water?
My vote is for head gasket.

Yes, I changed the oil after replacing the intake gasket. I will check to see if I have any water today. I haven't overheated at all recently. The stock temp gauge has read normal right on the middle notch.

 

[ss93cobra]

Some of your driveability concerns could also stem from timing/firing order errors when reinstalling the intake and distributor. -if you removed it that is-

 

[Paul Perreca]

check all the vacuum lines to the intake - everyone messes them up somehow - just somethin to check
Paul Perreca

 

[txstang84]

if this only started happening after changing the intake, there's a good possibility that one of the water ports didn't seal very well, and you might be leaking some water in...maybe the gasket is shifted. but if you really suspect a head gasket, do a compression test, and see if you have oil in your coolant as well. also ck the sides of the block, head gaskets don't always blow between the cylinders, sometimes they give out in other areas....

good luck!