Does this sound like failed head gasket?

[montez]

I have a worrying feeling that my head gasket is starting to go, the car is consuming a lot of water and there are no leaks from the system. I have no scum in the oil or coolant, but the coolant does go browny red very fast after replacing it but I am guessing this is just due to an old engine?

Obviously I need to get hold of a compression test to check for certain but these are the symptoms I am getting.

• I am loosing a lot of coolant, having to top up with a litre or two every 200 miles without any obvious leaks.
  
• After driving the car the pipes seem to be under a hell of a lot of pressure and I can feel bubbling in the main hose going to the top of the radiator from the block.
  
• There is a hiss from the expansion tank when warm from the high pressure.
  
• There seems the be a lot more white smoke out the exhaust during warm up, well more than I can remember last year when it started to get cold.

Any advice or pointers would be appreciated

[K Simmonds]

You need to get a sniff test done to confirm whether the head gasket is failing, however from the description you give I'd put money on it leaking.

[shaun5]

You need to get a sniff test done to confirm whether the head gasket is failing, however from the description you give I'd put money on it leaking.

I second that

[montez]

Ok I will get a sniff test done and see what the results are

[pasbogdan]

You can get the cap out from cooling tank (must take care not to get burned) and give it a good rev.Bubles should come and/or colant level rise fast.I had the same problem and mine was escaping pressure at the cooling tank cap.It made a wistle noise..I hoped it was the cap but the new one opened even faster than the first.