Possible Head Gasket?

[sandersb]

I have a 92 sr20 redtop, mostly stockThe motor runs fairly strong, holds boost (7psi), and drives fine.

BUT it overheats fairly quickly, even with the fan running. I've had to fill up the system more than once in a few months, and am using dex-cool, which I'm not sure that I'm supposed to be, and will be changing to the green stuff w/ water wetter soon.It also puts out quite a bit of darkish smoke (not blue).The idle is around 1800rpm, dipping down to 1400 every 2 seconds, going away (for the most part) when I turn on the heater.I also need a new o2 sensor, mine is dead.

I'm hoping that I'm not looking at a head gasket, I don't think I am, but need to verify. Compression was good a few months ago.

Thanks in advance for any help

[Justin35ll]

Any signs of white smoke coming from the bay or a sweet smell?

Why is your idle so high? Any vacuum leaks?

Dark smoke means your running richblue is oilwhite is coolant

[240_SeX]

Sounds like the thermostat may be stuck closed.

You can test it by removing it, putting it in a pot of water on the stove, heating the water and watching to see if it opens. Place a thermometer in the water to see when it opens, the stock thermostat should open around 195*F