blown head gasket???

[KGB4187]

First off I have a 1991 Legacy LS 2.2 4eat with ~95K... Today I went to go to the movies, and I got to the stop sign infront of my house at noticed the engine felt a little weird, and then noticed there was a large plume of white smoke covering the front yard... I turned the car off and popped the hood, no smoke there, nothing dripping below By this time people were stopping and asking if everything was ok and stopping traffic around me so I could decide what to do. I figured I'd back it into the drive way and decide from there. I started it but it really didnt feel good, put it into reverse and it stalled. Restarted it and made it back to the drive way and cut it (barely made it, couldnt see anything behind me). Smoke was still coming from the tailpipe for like 2 min after I turned it off. Still nothing noticable under the hood or dripping below. I've had 2 people tell me its probably the head gasket. There was a little smoke after I put on a new perrin air filter, but that just might have been the oil getting sucked in. Thanks for any help, I need it...

[magicmike]

Is the smoke white and very thick (like a cloud), or does it have a blueish tint to it? It sounds alot like what my motor was doing when I got it. I know the head gaskets were good on mine but it had blown rings due to detination. The oil being "blown by" the rings gets burned in the exhaust and also makes the motor feel like it wont stay running unless you hold the brake and give it gas at the same time (automatic models).

Mike

[KGB4187]

It was white and very clooud like, my Dodge burns oil so I know what it looks like. Its been sitting for 4 hours and theres no sign of oil in the coolant, but I only checked the over flow and the cap part. This is frustrating! Is there anything else it could be besides a head gasket?

[magicmike]

well, sounds pretty serious to me. Unfortunately with a blown head gastet having the same symptoms as what you are seeing it is hard to say it could be anything else. As far as it being something simple, chances are its not. But I am not a certified mechanic so thats just my 2cents.

Good luck none the less,

Mike