A cracked head gasket in a Chevrolet Vortex can spell trouble for the car owner. The head gasket holds the coolant, or anti-freeze, in the radiator; and if it leaks, it can cause the vehicle to overheat and contaminate the oil. This can be a very expensive repair due to the difficulty in accessing the head gasket. Determining if the vehicle's problem is indeed a cracked head gasket can help save the car owner a lot of money in unnecessary labor and repairs.
Coolant Loss
If there is a sudden drop in coolant levels, there may be a problem with the head gasket in your Chevy Vortex. The coolant can leak out of a cracked head gasket and either go through the exhaust system of the vehicle or it can get into the pistons and crankcase.
Sweet Smelling Exhaust
A sweet smell coming from your Vortex's exhaust system can also indicate a cracked head gasket. This is due to the coolant being heated then evaporating into the air. This steam does not dissipate, like other steam, as it is mixed with anti-freeze.
Milkshake in the Engine
In a Chevrolet Vortex with a cracked head gasket, the anti-freeze can mix with oil in the crankshaft. If this occurs, the action of the pistons will whip these two substances into a thick, oil milkshake that tends to be brown in color and very frothy. Evidence of this can be found in the oil tank or, in extreme cases, all over the engine.
Engine Overheating
In the case of a cracked head gasket, the coolant is not able to reduce the heat of the engine. This can result in the engine running hotter than it should and cause additional damage to the engine, including the pistons, flywheel and starter.
