Ok, got a 95 12 valve leaking coolant around #6 which I have known about for a while now. Ive had 3 diesel mechanics tell me its ok to drive until I get it fixed. I keep coolant in the truck and make sure its always topped off. Well today i was heading home and got up to 2300 rpm's passing and I was blowing what looked to be white smoke. another thing is i have a 120 mile commute to work and when I leave work, I check my oil and Ive used half a quart. Is this head gasket issue the reason for the white smoke at high rpm and oil burning/usage. Im gonna replace my head gasket in about a month, is there anything I need to check while ive got the head off?

 

do any water in your oil? if yes then dont drive it or you will be doing an in frame the antifreeze will eat your bearings

IMO I would park that sucker

a head gasket is cheep a motor is not

 

I dont believe theres any water in the oil. I got some off the stick and rubbed it around, and smelled it. Looks and smells like untampered oil

 

just keep an eye out

 

alright the the trucks gonna be parked for 2 more weeks until i get the money to fix the head gasket. I wanna know of any other things i could do to make this old 12 valve more durable for pulling. This truck at least every other weekend pulls a 22 foot gooseneck with about 13000 lbs of logs and brush. Ive already got the cold air intake, and a 5 inch from turbo back to 6 inch stacks, and id really like to put a fuel plate in it with of course the pillar guages. What else should I do. All help appreciated, Thanks yall