Here's why:
* Antifreeze in the oil: A blown head gasket allows coolant to leak into the engine's oil passages. This contaminates the oil, creating a milky, mayonnaise-like substance.
* White smoke from the tailpipe: The white smoke is due to the coolant being burned in the combustion chambers. This is a clear indicator of coolant leaking into the cylinders.
* Losing antifreeze from the radiator: The leak could be directly from the head gasket itself or from a related crack in the engine block or cylinder head caused by overheating (often a consequence of a failing head gasket).
Other less likely but possible causes:
* Cracked cylinder head or engine block: This could allow coolant to leak into the cylinders and oil passages, resulting in similar symptoms. This is usually a more severe problem than a head gasket leak.
* Damaged radiator: While a damaged radiator will cause antifreeze loss, it wouldn't usually lead to antifreeze in the oil or white smoke unless the leak is substantial and causing overheating that damages the head gasket or engine.
What you should NOT do:
* Do not continue to drive the car. Running the engine with a blown head gasket will cause significant further damage, potentially requiring a complete engine rebuild or replacement.
What you SHOULD do:
* Have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic immediately. They can diagnose the problem definitively and provide an accurate repair estimate. Ignoring this problem will likely lead to much more expensive repairs down the road. The cost of a head gasket repair can be significant, but it's far less than the cost of a replacement engine.
