I have always relied on this forum before. Its a great place. So 1992 Olds Bravada 4.3 non vortech. I searched blown head gasket on here well before posting my question. That said here we go.

It has a hole in the freeze plug and i have been neglecting it because i pretty much rely on it every day to get to and from work. I replenish the water levels every other day. Recently like yesterday i noticed that it was leaking in a different area then normal. Yes leaking water. Appears to be coming from behind the motor.

So like if your looking under the truck there is the first leak under the starter and the second leaking pretty bad in my opinion about a foot back and to the right about 2 feet.

Question here is, Is it a head gasket? Reading about this leads me to believe otherwise. Not wishfull thinking. Just that most people report mass whits smoke. mine smoked since last august but it goes away and only gets bad when its really cold. Also people report that there truck runs like crap...

My truck is running like a champ. It sounds like it came of the factory floor last week. Finally got all the Small BS fixed on this and now leaking water. Maybe im missing something. In Feb i will have about a grand to through at it or buy a new truck. I can not afford to do ether but will if i have to. Any advice?

Will post pics soon as i can.

 

I would lean towards a failed intake manifold gasket rather than a head gasket. Especially if it is running good. Head gaskets typically fail at the cylinder compression ring, not at the outside edge.

You could pull the plugs and do a compression test to verify that the compression is good to put that theory to rest.

 

Sweet, what causes this? How do I tell for sure and whats the fix procedure? Also how dangerous is driving it like this?

Pics on the way soon

 

This leak is tricky dick. This morning i topped her off and started her up. watched for a leak and nothing was leaking. So i drove to work and checked under the truck and the freeze plug was leaking.

Came out of work and checked sure enough there was 2 puddles. This time the puddle was to the right or driver side and about where i would believe the water pump is. The strange thing is that it never leaks will im looking at it. 3 times i have attempted to catch it in the act and every time it aludes me. WTF am i just seeing stuff?

Any way it made a strange noise this morning on start up. Sounded rough like this winter when i started it and it sounded like it was running on 2 cylinders. This winter it happened long enough that i was about to shut the truck off and it got way better. This morning it happened for about 2 seconds and went away quick.

I will be vigilant and watch for further leaks. I will take pics as soon as i get my hands on a cam.