Head Gasket Concern

[GM Truck Family Man]

I was given a 1989 S-10 with a 4.3 V6 by my uncle last fall. The truck is original and has 13,600 miles. When I got the truck I did a radiator flush and replaced the coolant to -35 (I live in WI) I changed the oil and everything seemed fine. I got the truck out of storage today and drove it about 40 miles. I got a light wiff of coolant when I started it after it had gotten to operating temperature. The truck is not running hot and the coolant looks fine. It was at the proper level for a hot engine and I did not see any leaking coolant. When I pulled the dipstick it looked about a half to a quart too high and I when I pulled off the oil fill cap there was some white foam on the inside of the cap. I am concerned I have a internal leak somewhere. What else should I look for? Due to the fact the truck is 21 years old with so few miles is there bound to be gasket issues? Any help would be appreicated.

[Jsdirt]

On something that has been sitting that long, gaskets & rubber parts tend to dry up, crack & shrink -- even in cold climates. I'd perform a compression/leakdown test to verify head gasket condition. If that checks out ok, make sure all the hose clamps are tight. Then take a flashlight to the underside of the waterpump & see if the weep hole is leaking.

 

With small leaks I usually cheat with a little stop leak, but that is on my personal vehicles -- and that option is entirely up to you, and you'll find many opinions on that. Use at your own risk & don't go overboard if that's the road you so choose.