Gurgling from the coolant reservoir tank

BRUTE67

MEMBER
1995 GMC YUKON
5.7L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

I started off from a stop light and had a huge puff of white smoke from the tail pipes at two different lights. Rough idle and wanting to stall, but there is no white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes while it is running now! Did take out the thermostat and found it stuck closed. I was wondering if I might have blown my head gaskets or not?

5 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

Yes, this sounds like a failed head gasket. You are burning coolant and that is why it is bubbling in the tank and smoking out the exhaust.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/white-smoke-or-steam-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Removing the thermostat makes it worse. You now have starved coolant circulation in the back of the motor.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-engine-thermostat-works

At this point, I would suggest replacing the motor with a rebuilt or a good used motor.

Roy

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Saturday, September 12th, 2020 AT 4:57 AM

BRUTE67

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you for your response to my question, but there is no white smoke coming from the exhaust it was just those two instances and I didn't leave the thermostat out, I replaced it I would never run an engine without one. The only symptom of a blown head gasket is the gurgling in the coolant overflow tank.

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Saturday, September 12th, 2020 AT 8:39 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Okay, got it. The fact you had the white smoke is the confirmation along with the gurgling that you have a head gasket issue.

I would remove the heads, have them tested and inspect the gaskets for failures.

I attached a YouTube video or replacement of the head gaskets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFgLtP_NSsg

Roy

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Saturday, September 12th, 2020 AT 8:47 AM

BRUTE67