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Hi there, I have a 1999 Taurus that had a bad head gasket according to the guy I bought it from due to the water in the oil. I took it down to the block but I cannot see any defect in the head gasket so is the gasket good or is it another problem I have to worry about? He also had the heads redone a year ago when he replaced the head gasket at that time. Any input would be great, thanks, John  

are any of the piston tops really clean?????    where the coolant and water has washed the carbon off while it is running..

it is possible that the head is cracked... that does happen... it is also possible that there are leaks in the engine block... in the intake manifold...   various gaskets... even the engine oil coolers in the past have leaked coolant into the oil... usually it goes both ways with the oil cooler...

are the heads still off???  i have used hylomar on head gaskets since 92 with great results.. and no leaks...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97824

do you have access to  compressed air????? taking out one spark plug at a time.. removing the check valve core from the end of a compression tester hose...   bringing that piston to exact top dead center.. and charging one cylinder at a time with compressed air .. if there is a leak into the coolant..  you will see it in the radiator... if it is totally full up to the top with the overflow tube blocked...

some professional techs have also on motors with fan belt driven water pumps... removed the fan belts...  filled the radiator to the top... started the motor and watched the level ... if it rises instantly... you have a compression leak...  

the compressed air into the cylinders one at a time will prove which one leaks...

WARNING>> putting compressed air into the cylinders even if the motor is at top dead center on that cylinder WILL make the engine rotate...  and it will move fast... be sure not to have anything near the belts when you do this... it will pull you and and do major damage to you or anything it grabs...


oh... the timing cover gaskets have also been known to leak... where the timing cover mounts to the block.. the original gasket material was really not strong enough...

there is a problem... antifreeze in the motor oil will ruin the aluminum rod, main and cam bearings...  

Thanks for the input on this problem,I guess I have more work to do than I thought.