I have a 98 Mazda Protege LX, 1.5L, 5 speed with 134,000 miles on it. I have to put water in my radiator about every 25 miles or so or it overheats. I can smell an exhaust smell when the radiator cap is off. My best guess would be that I have a blow head gasketthat is allowing the radiator fluid to mix with the exhaust. Are there any other possible explanations for these symptoms? I have checked my oil and there is NO water in my oil. If it is a head gasket can anyone make a guess on how long I can drive the car with the blow gasket? I am not sure I want to spend $1000 - $1500 to have it fixed. If I have the cooling system flushed monthly can Idrive the car indefinately? I mostly drive it back and forth to work (7 miles) or for short trips are town.

 

Nobody has an clue on this?

 

I had a 1990 daytona that blew it's head gasket while I was on an interstate, I continued to drive it mainly because I could not tell at high speeds. Anyway it warped the head and pretty much had to trash the car or pay for a new head. If you think it is just the gasket I would get it fixed before the problem gets bigger.