95 Blazer Coolant Leak, Intake or Head Gasket?

Hi, I have a =9295 Blazer with a 4.3L Vortec V6. The engine has developed an internal coolant leak. No external leaks are visible. A considerable amount of white smoke comes out of the exhaust. The coolant level drops and there appears to be coolant dripping out where the right exhaust manifold mates to the Y-pipe. I pulled the right side plugs. The #6 plug appeared to have a little more buildup on it but all appeared dry. I cranked the engine over, but nothing came out of the plugholes. The question I have is, could this leak be from the lower intake manifold gasket or a head gasket problem or worse? Thanks!

Reply to
zwickl2
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Does the heater blow hot air? Does the coolant look dirty or oily? How much smoke is "considerable"?

If the heater is blowing hot air, the coolant is clean, and the smoke is not too bad, it would indicate to me the intake gasket is leaking badly.

If the heater is blowing cold or slightly warm air, the coolant is dirty/oily, and the engine smokes badly, it would indicate a blown head gasket or even a burned piston.

I would do a compression/leakdown test.

Even compression across all cylinders would point toward an intake gasket.

Uneven compression across the cylinders would indicate a blown head gasket or piston problem.

Please let us know what you find, I'm curious.

Regards, JR

Reply to
JR

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