Leaking Intake Gasket?

Okay so I have a 1996 Pontiac Grand AM with the 3100. It has 156K on it and is still running strong. I drive it 160 miles everyday and it has been a good car. I have had a very slightly noticable lifter tick forever but lately when I start the car and drive it it has been extremely loud untill the car reaches its max temperature. Then it goes a way. I'm wondering if possibly the intake manifold is taking a $hit. I look under my oil cap in the morning and it has the milky sludgy stuff everyone dreads but I have heard in the winter tim that it will collect on the cap because of moisture rising. I look at the dipstick and the oil seems to look fine and it isnt milky white. I'm just wondering why that tick has become loud and wondering if its cuz moisture anti freeze is collecing in the oil.

Over a period of time I do loose anti freeze but I beleive it is outside the motor out of the intake gasket and down the side of the block.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and I really appreciate those who take the time to answer this.

Since youre driving such long distance the moisute should all evaperate...I'd think.
Probly the extra moisture gets on top of the lifters and when it sets over night it rusts a little.

Next time you change your oil be sure to look at it well for coolant, milky colored stuff just in case.
You dont want to drive it to much if you do get coolant in there because it'll damage your engines bearings. :eek7:

I've noticed my GA GT is doing this of late, and has the foamy oil cap. :rolleyes:
I know my LIM is new so its just from short trips. I'm going to add some Seafoam engine/oil treatment and see if mine clears up.

The intake gasket may be bad. They were very poorly built gaskets in the 3100/3400 motors up until around 2003 when a remodeled gasket was released. I had the same problem with mine a while back.

Then again, I may be thinking about a different gasket, but I'm pretty sure it's the intake.

What's the Seafoam treatment? Something I should look into getting?


Is it available at AutoZone?

Thanks