Hey guys --

I have some really dumb questions -- hopefully you guys won't give me too hard of a time...

1) Do headgasket leaks only result in coolant? i.e. oil drips on the ground wouldn't point to a headgasket problem?
2) For oil drips on the ground (if I'm reading the forums here correctly) the obvious culprits could be either valve cover leaks (snug up the bolts), valley gasket leak, or intake manifold leak. Is that correct?

Yep, I have some new oil dots decorating my floor. Mechanic said head gasket, but I'm scratching my head...

Thanks!
RedAustinIX (Ed)

Oh - one more question... I just completed Mike's famous 60K in time for driving to my hometown for the holidays (about 1,000 miles each way). Assuming I have one of the problems above, is it risky? I figured I'd just keep a few spare quarts of oil and a gallon of antifreeze in the back of the truck during the trip, and check levels at each gas fillup.

 

Head gaskets can leak oil.
Also check the oil filter and oil pressure switch for leaks.
Yes, drive it and dont worry about it.

 

Start out by degreasing the bad oil build up, then power scrub your entire engine. After that make sure your 4 v/c bolts are tight and watch it over the next few days for where the oil starts to show up again.