Damn head gaskets! I think I have a leaking head gasket in my 98 xjr. There's yellow, mayo-like oil coming out of the crankcase vent (signs of water), and the coolant looks a bit oily (hard to tell though, it's yellow anyways). The oil on the dipstick looks decent, but occasionally there's a little yellow stuff on it. Occasional white smoke on start up.

Question: What the hell should I do! It still starts fine and runs great. I can fix most reasonable things a car, but taking the cylinder heads off a jaguar v8 - that's just not happening. I know it's better not to drive it until I can get it fixed, but I need to drive it. Also, I don't want to spend 2 grand (I'm guessing that's what a head gasket repair would cost for this engine) on an engine with 130,000 miles. Should I:
1) just ride it out, cross my fingers, and check the oil and coolant frequently
2) try one of those magic "gasket head sealers" in a bottle? I'm pretty sure these things can do more harm than good, but if anyone has experience with them, any input would be appreciated
3) park it, cry for a bit, and then start driving my 1986 sovereign through a horrible midwest US winter.

Does anyone know of a sure-fire way to test for a blown head gasket in this engine, other than taking it apart?

Damn head gaskets!

 

Any parts house will have a kit that will check for exhaust gas in the coolant.