Exhaust Manifold Leak

[drj545 5]

So, got my 1.9 running well. It’s been off the road 20 years, 107k. Changed timing belt/tensioner/water pump and crank/camshaft seals and that’s it, never had the head off. 
 

Starts well, idles at 2000rpm then settles down quite quickly to a nice idle - from what I read this is quite normal. 
 

BUT I see that there’s some smoke coming from the exhaust manifold, which looks like a leak from number 3, between manifold and head. It looks wet and smells to me like coolant, and can almost see it bubbling away…

 

I’m probably asking a loaded question, but is this head gasket replacement time? I almost would prefer that scenario in order to save skinned knuckles getting the manifold off to change the gaskets.  

 

I hoped that it may be condensation in the engine, after being lying for a long time, but there’s always more smoke there on start up, which suggests it’s building up. Haven’t had the engine up to temperature really, just up and down the driveway.

 

Just curious if anyone else has seen similar before.
 

 

[Leslie green 116]

You can but a cheap pressure tester to pressureise the cooling  ststem on likes of ebay whick replaces expansion bottle cap .Manifold cracks are very common though too but coolant shouldnt be coming out .

[Steve205 16 1 Cars]

I thought I had similar problem last year. Coolant appeared to be leaking from exhaust manifold joint. I thought this shouldn't be happening. After loads of investigating it turned out to be a really tiny pin hole leak in the return pipe to the expansion tank that runs on bulk head near exhaust manifold.  Just something to check. Was creating smoke when hitting manifold. 

Stephen