Head gasket failure

[cooperkerr]

Sorry, i know it's the most popular subject on here but There's some things I'm not sure about. W reg 2000 1.8 station wagon 65k.
Today I checked my fluid levels, I do this every week, and I noticed mayo on the inside of the oil filler cap. After I picked myself up again, I checked the dipstick and it was as normal but when I checked the coolant expansion tank it looks like there are spots of oil floating in it. head gasket was replaced last june '07. I have only done about 2 k since. The garage that did this I have since realised are ar*eholes because they didn't put antifreeze in after the repair and other little things have gone wrong as well. I didn't own the car then by the way. It hasn't overheated so I'm hoping nothing there is no major damage. Although in december it did when I found out there was no antifreeze in it, just water. Everything has been fine since and the mechanic who looked at it said everything looked ok. Until today.

Do you think that incident has led to the HGF now or is more likely to be a poor repair in the first place?
Doesn't the coolant go into the oil and not the oil into the coolant?

I'm seeing the mechanic tomorrow but I'm trying to sell it anyway but I think I'm going to be struggling now.
Are the diesels that much more reliable? Was thinking of upgrading to a TD4.

Thanks in advance.

 

[gmp]

Previous HG failures (including myself!) have reported gunk in coolant and mayo in oil prior to fix or catastrophic failure. Mine ran with above symptons for 4 weeks before px'ing in much hurry and relief.

 

[snapper]

I noticed mayo on the inside of the oil filler cap.

Well in my opinion, mayo in the filler cap on such a low milage isn't necessarily significant.
The missus Fiesta does it as well - its caused by the condensation in the engine not being burned off on short journeys...

when I checked the coolant expansion tank it looks like there are spots of oil floating in it.

This definitly needs further investigation; are you sure its oil - can you fish it out and have a better look?

d.

 

[cooperkerr]

Just seen my mechanic and he thinks the mayo is from too many short runs.
The oil is probably from the last time the head gasket was done,june 2007, but it is possible it could be the first signs of failure so it's best to get rid as soon as possible.

Thanks to all who replied.

 

[gmp]

I'm no mechanic (as will become obvious) but when mayo began appearing in engine oil cap and what I can best describe as gloopy grey/brown gunk appearing in coolant and inside expansion bottle, took it to trusted mechanic who did coolant flush and filled up with fresh antifreeze. Few days later gunk reappeared and began to get steadily worse.

 

[JonFre]

Sorry, i know it's the most popular subject on here but There's some things I'm not sure about. W reg 2000 1.8 station wagon 65k.
Today I checked my fluid levels, I do this every week, and I noticed mayo on the inside of the oil filler cap. After I picked myself up again, I checked the dipstick and it was as normal but when I checked the coolant expansion tank it looks like there are spots of oil floating in it. head gasket was replaced last june '07. I have only done about 2 k since. The garage that did this I have since realised are ar*eholes because they didn't put antifreeze in after the repair and other little things have gone wrong as well. I didn't own the car then by the way. It hasn't overheated so I'm hoping nothing there is no major damage. Although in december it did when I found out there was no antifreeze in it, just water. Everything has been fine since and the mechanic who looked at it said everything looked ok. Until today.

Do you think that incident has led to the HGF now or is more likely to be a poor repair in the first place?
Doesn't the coolant go into the oil and not the oil into the coolant?

I'm seeing the mechanic tomorrow but I'm trying to sell it anyway but I think I'm going to be struggling now.
Are the diesels that much more reliable? Was thinking of upgrading to a TD4.

Thanks in advance.

Are you losing coolant?

 

[wanaron]

did you have the new type gasket fitted, when you had it done last year? i am led to believe that there are still mechanics out there fitting the old type gasket. the new multilayer gasket is supposed to cure the problem, along with changing the dowels in the engine block, that come as part of the kit. i own the same vehicle an had mine changed(New type gasket) 10 000 miles ago. No sign of mayo so far.

 

[cooperkerr]

I'm not losing any coolant or overheating. Not sure about which gasket fitted because I bought it after this had been done. If I hadn't checked the fluids yesterday I wouldn't know there was any problem at all.
I'm trying to sell it anyway but I may have to part ex at a dealers.

 

[JonFre]

I'm not losing any coolant or overheating. Not sure about which gasket fitted because I bought it after this had been done. If I hadn't checked the fluids yesterday I wouldn't know there was any problem at all.
I'm trying to sell it anyway but I may have to part ex at a dealers.

If I am reading this right your problem is globules of oil on top of the coolant. I had a problem with a Saab (Yes cars other than Freelanders give trouble despite some comments on this site) where the coolant was saturated with transmission fluid. After putting it right with a new radiator we changed the hoses and pump but traces of oil kept appearing on top of the coolant for if IIRC a few weeks. I kept skimming them off the coolant in the make up tank until they disappeared, if you are not using coolant and the oil traces become less and less maybe things are ok.

 

[Northern Irelander]

If the bandit garage didnt add anti-freeze, I would bet they didnt bother to flush the thing properly. Could well be gunk from the original hgf.

Or in the bandit garage's defence, they may have been through one of the flush cycles, with full intention to drain and fill with the proper mix of anti-freeze afterwards.

Why so concerned if you are selling,

Personally I would try to fix the thing before I pass it on, its good Karma

 

[cooperkerr]

I'm still having to use it until I sell it. I can't afford to fix it(if it has gone) and I don't want to sell it to some one else and they come back a week later saying it has gone. I am having trouble selling it without virtually giving it away. The second hand private values are terrible. Some of the garage prices for the same model and similar miles are up to £2000 more. It's a 2000W 1.8 xei station wagon with fsh and 65k on the clock.
I think it is old oil that has worked it's way through but I just wanted to be sure. Unfortunately due to ill health I cant do any repairs myself. I even had to take it to a garage to get the spare wheel put on. It's a shame because it's very comfortable and easy for me to get in and out of.

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

part ex it to a garage - dont have any second thoughts - they will rip yu orf as soon as look at yu.

 

[cooperkerr]

part ex it to a garage - dont have any second thoughts - they will rip yu orf as soon as look at yu.

Yes, I know, but there is very little choice where I live. Some of the prices are scandalous.

 

[JonFre]

If the bandit garage didnt add anti-freeze, I would bet they didnt bother to flush the thing properly. Could well be gunk from the original hgf.

Or in the bandit garage's defence, they may have been through one of the flush cycles, with full intention to drain and fill with the proper mix of anti-freeze afterwards.

Why so concerned if you are selling,

Personally I would try to fix the thing before I pass it on, its good Karma

Good advice, better the devil you know ,,,,,,,

 

[gmp]

Feel for you as we were in same position 3 months ago. In end took less than I would like in px but thought of having hg go and being left with immobile car of little value other than to someone prepared to do fix, convinced me to get shot quick. Despite all the other problems we had with it we still miss the old truck but Grand Vitara ownership proving stress free at present.