2001 GMC Sonoma head gasket question

[Alan Roehrich]

It is possible to blow a head gasket on anything at any mileage.

There is absolutely no need to pull the engine. The head can be checked for cracks if/when it is removed.

Most likely, it has bad intake gaskets, that's a common problem. That will most often be the source of coolant in the crankcase on those engines. They will also leak to the outside.

A pressure test will determine if there is a head gasket leak or a cracked cylinder head or block. The location of the leak should be verified by the pressure test (what cylinder gets coolant in it?) and they'll know where the leak is. the head would then be removed, the gasket , head, and block would be inspected at that time.

[Rob Petrie E395]

Call the dealer. There is a class action lawsuit that was settled over Dexcool. The are covering intakes and heater cores on many years and engines. I have a 2001 S-10 shop truck and they covered the heater core with over hundred and fifty on the odometer. I am not in the shop right now so I dont have the list of years and engines that it covers but it covers car and truck engines over several years. I would guess that if the intake was leaking that is what caused the head gasket problem due to overheating. I dont know what they will say about the head gasket but its not real hard to get them to cover a intake gasket problem around here. Give them a call you might get lucky and get both covered.