my 1990 corvette convertible has oil coming from the dipstick and I just recently changed intake gaskets and fuel injectors and started I started the car yesterday let  it run then test drove it (overall a quarter mile) then popped the hood and saw oil coming from the dipstick.The  engine idles ok but the water heats up faster than usual with a brown forthy look to it no smoke from the tail pipes but it does smoke from the valve covers and I did change the pcv valve instantly but to no avail did it help.The car was running great prior the intake and fuel injector change but the intake gaskets was leaking on the passenger side.I know all signs point to a blown head gasket or rings  but the car has set for the last 4 weeks during my changes so im asking for suggestions on what to look for.I will do a compression test and possibly a leak down test im just kinda looking for other things that maybe others have encountered to check on.I would appreciate any and all suggestion..thanks Billydee

|UPDATED|10/6/2013 9:26:17 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Brown frothy coolant suggests you are getting oil into the coolant....either that, or your coolant is really rusty.

|UPDATED|8/3/2013 7:28:45 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Yeppers... that brown whip cream is going all through your engine. A PITA to clean out. Before long your valve covers will be full to th' brim... Needless to say, your engine isn't getting properly lubed. But it can be done... back in th' day I had to clean out a "59" Impala with the Ol' Stump Puller in it. A job I wouldn't wish on anyone... It's not so complex, just takes some time..

Did you compare your new gaskets to the old ones? I replaced mine a few years ago for the same reason and there were 2 closed port holes in the new gaskets... (one on each side). The new gaskets had the outlines for the opening and needed to be cut to make them match the old ones. Also, the original gaskets had a port opening on each side in the gasket material and were closed off by GM using a thin metal insert. I recall it was rectangular and has recessed edges. These 2 ports have to remain closed off by either leaving the gasket material in place, or, re-use the metal GM inserts.  The gaskets I'm referring to came from Felpro and I ended up calling them to clarify what to do about the differences. They were very helpful and explained the gaskets are used for a variety of 350 block setups.  Good luck with getting this straightened out   

Thanks all for the replies and suggestions so I guess ill tear her back down again and redo the gaskets although I did compare them at first your suggestions make sense to start all over.I did use the fel pro gaskets and looks like I have a phone call to make also so its gonna be another weekend in the garage but that's ok cause I want her done right....Thanks again

Well pulled the intake and have what looks to be a watery substance in the valley(Brown frothy) and the gasket are correct so now im stumped could it be the EGr valve or something else.I can't believe the car blew a headgasket from setting for 3 weeks and just running down the road and back no ...something else is going on.Any suggetions on this matter. I have the right intake gaskets(and let me tell ya they was apita to get off so I feel good about the sealing of these gaskets) pretty sure the vacuum lines was correct but something is different...surley the fuel injectors wouldn't cause this or could they?Well ok just throw something out there any and all possibilities is greatly  appreciated...thanks Billydee

Oh boy, that sure sounds like the intake gaskets are messed up somehow. The fact that your coolant temp rises quick usually indicates the coolant system is not pressuring up due to a leak. Steam from the valve covers is the water in the coolant boiling off. If you drain the engine oil look for that brown chocolate goo there. If there is, once you have the gasket leak sorted out you'll need to at least do several fill and drains of the engine oil to flush most of the fouled oil out. If you didn't romp on the throttle during the test spin you might have dodged a scored bearing issue. You might want to get some advice from a local mechanic who might have a trick or two.

Thanks for the reply and my gaskets are the same as whats on the car.I pulled the intake today and matched them to the old ones again and don't see any difference my only concern is that the rear port is blocked in the old gaskets and I bought gaskets to match to a tee.Any idea why they blocked the rear port?Would the EGr valve creat this issue? Im drawing a blank here it makes absolutely no sense for this to happen the car is back like it originally was even put new injectors in her??? Thanks again

What's the scoop on the rear ports after installing the new gaskets.... are they now open or closed ?

see the top of page reply sorry clicked on the wrong post