Well, it looks like my head gasket needs to be replaced. The symptoms are loss of coolant, but in addition something really weird. My driveway is at an angle. If I park facing uphill, in the morning I will get a rough start and codes for cylinder misfires on 4, 5 and 6. If I park downhill, not a damn thing. This damn car is possessed.

So, I was wondering... does the engine have any history of the head bolts loosening up? Should I first try retorquing, or should I just bite the bullet and do all the work?

 

Does the oil fill cap show signs of coolant (creamy/foamy)? Does the dipstick show the oil level increasing, indicating accumulation of coolant?

I've heard great things about K-Seal to fix minor head gasket leaks. You might consider that as a first step.

 

Strange. I've never heard of that being an issue with these motors. I have 190k-ish miles and have pulled a 3500# trailer in the western mountains... you'd think I'd be the test pilot for that. I did eventually break other parts of the cooling system but not the head gasket.

 

Nothing like that. I've used a coolant sealer but no luck eliminating this slow leak. I'm trying a UV dye to see if I can track it down.

 

So what might explain the symptoms? It's definitely got a slow coolant leak, the coolant is not mixing with the oil (that has been verified when the hoses were changed), and that cylinder misfire on cylinders 4, 5 and 6 happens every single time I park the car facing up on the driveway incline, never when facing down.

I told you, it's possessed.

 

Not saying it's not a head gasket, just strange on an 3.2 that's been cared for and never over-heated.

 

Toldya. The damn thing is possessed.

 

Actually, one of my first problems and what I believe started all my problems, all the torx screws on the oil separator housing were Hella lose and it gave me the exact same symptoms as a blown head gasket. I still haven't taken things off to the point of wanting to check the gasket but that's my experience and mines a 2012

 

I found the slow coolant leak. The new coolant reservoir has a pinhole leak that shoots out coolant when under pressure. Mechanic will replace it under warranty on Friday.

 

Holy cow. What are the odds! Thanks!