What are the symtoms of a head gasket going out?

[KnoxFJ62]

Seems lately that my FJ62 has been burning a little more oil ? This a bad sign? Normally I dont think I have had to add oil to the engine but seems like its lower than usual?

 

[Jukelemon]

Burning oil typically points to valve/valve stem, rings or cylinder issues. How much oil?

 

[KnoxFJ62]

Im just at about the 3000mark since the last oil change and I have added about 1qt since and its a bit below the halfway mark on the dipstick now maybe a tad more.

 

[Jukelemon]

So...you are saying it has burned almost 3 qts of oil in 3k miles and it just started doing that i.e. "burning a little more oil"?

 

[KnoxFJ62]

Unless I didnt have it all the way to the full mark when I changed it the last time but i dont know why I wouldnt have. Maybe Im wrong.

 

[Mustard75]

I would think that the oil level would have appeared to increase if your head gasket was going.

 

[bad_religion_au]

depending on where your head gasket was going ,but it may make the oil level rise, due to water getting in the oil... do you have any wierd black spots on the back/ side near your exaust... do you have a leak?

 

[folsom50]

Replace your pcv and see what that does first. I thought my 2f wasn't breaking in after my rebuild because of the oil use. Purchased a $1.97 pcv and all was well.

 

[swank60]

I second Folsom's pcv idea. If your head gasket was gone, it would be gone. There are a handfull of tattles, but burning a little oil isn't one of them (antifreeze in the oil, or a sweet smell from your exhaust - that's a head gasket)

Then start looking for leaks...I'm plagued with them...

Also, if you leave the truck sitting, do you get a puff of blue/grey smoke at start up? you could have leaking valve stems. A quick fix/test that helps with that is a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in when you're a quart low. That'll help those seals and you won't get as much burn...keeps the tappets quiet too.

You should also do a dry/wet compression test when you get a chance. If you see a dramatic increase from dry to wet, then you've got real trouble. Check here for more info: http://www.ac427.com/html/cobra_52.shtml - I used to have a better link, but I can't find it...this has the basics.