Tiny bit of "custard"

1. sainz92 Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 118 Citroen saxo furio

   #1 5th December 2010, 15:06

   Me and my uncle were giving the furio a little going over today and as we opened the oil cap we spotted the tiniest bit of "custard", does this mean that the head gasket is going or gone? or could it be because of the weather condensation got into the reservoir causing the custard, by the way i havent lost any oil or water if that makes a difference.
   Help.
2. user_43116 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2010 Oswestry Shropshire/Wrexham, North Wales Posts: 506 Mk1 Silver VTR

   #2 5th December 2010, 15:13

   Any sort of mayo/custard type substance is usually a sign of the head gasket is going/gone.
3. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #3 5th December 2010, 15:16

   condensation is fair bet if its not displaying any other signs of head gasket failure
4. sainz92 Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 118 Citroen saxo furio

   #4 5th December 2010, 15:19

   What other signs should i be looking for, for definite head gasket failure ?
5. RustySkull Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2009 Basildon And Corringham, Essex Posts: 5179 MK1 Focus RS, Discovery TD5, Renault Trafic 2.0

   #5 5th December 2010, 15:38

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by sainz92 What other signs should i be looking for, for definite head gasket failure ?

   An oil leak from the left front corner of the head (Looking head on) Above the Alternator.
   Oil in your Rad.
   Loads more Mayonnaise on that cap after more driving.
   Excessive water from your Exhaust.
   And, the sign it's well and truly gone is burning oil...
6. user_46290 Established Member Joined: Aug 2010 Scotland Posts: 1362 Citroen Saxo MK1

   #6 5th December 2010, 22:29

   Nasty Nasty Job..
7. Nik_L Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2010 Here and there. Posts: 3372 205 GTi

   #7 5th December 2010, 22:32

   Short journeys will also cause this so might not be the HG.
8. Wemi Newbie Joined: Nov 2010 North Tyneside Posts: 16 02 Saxo VTR

   #8 7th April 2011, 14:26

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by sainz92 Me and my uncle were giving the furio a little going over today and as we opened the oil cap we spotted the tiniest bit of "custard", does this mean that the head gasket is going or gone? or could it be because of the weather condensation got into the reservoir causing the custard, by the way i havent lost any oil or water if that makes a difference. Help.

   Hello,
   
   I bought an 02reg VTR in October last year and I've got the same kind of problem, loads of "custard" under the cap. I got the car checked in a garage and they said they believed it wasn't the head gasket as there was no other sign (no overheating, no power loss, no steam in exhaust fumes, coolant looks about right apart from a bit a corrosion...).
   Has it happened to anybody else? How can it be fixed?
   
   PS: When I got the timing belt + major service done just after I bought it I've been advised to replace the rocker cover gasket which I haven't done yet. Can this explain the fairly big amount of custard on its own?
   I've also been told that it could come from the pipe between the rocker cover and the induction system.
   
   Any help/idea will be highly appreciated.
   
   Thanks in advance
9. Wemi Newbie Joined: Nov 2010 North Tyneside Posts: 16 02 Saxo VTR

   #9 7th April 2011, 14:44

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Nik_L Short journeys will also cause this so might not be the HG.

   I forgot to mention that I only do about 100 miles a week and always in short journeys, never more than a few miles. I use the car on a daily basis to go to work. Does it help?
   
   And by the way why do short journeys will cause this? Can you try to give a quick explanation please?
10. Saxotim Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2007 Leeds Posts: 2865 172 Cup, Mk2 VTR

    #10 7th April 2011, 16:15

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wemi I forgot to mention that I only do about 100 miles a week and always in short journeys, never more than a few miles. I use the car on a daily basis to go to work. Does it help? And by the way why do short journeys will cause this? Can you try to give a quick explanation please?

    take it for a longer drive, could just be condensation as on short journeys the engine will not heat up enough to get rid of it, should clear up on a longer drive if its not HG related,
11. mlawlan69 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2010 leeds Posts: 4389 MCS R53 S/C 16v furiooo

    #11 7th April 2011, 16:19

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wemi I forgot to mention that I only do about 100 miles a week and always in short journeys, never more than a few miles. I use the car on a daily basis to go to work. Does it help? And by the way why do short journeys will cause this? Can you try to give a quick explanation please?

    short journeys can cause this problem as i believe the oil never reaches an appropriate temperature.
12. blainej Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2011 aberystwyth Posts: 308 MK1 vtr

    #12 7th April 2011, 16:36

    i have had same problem mate but drove car like 3000 miles in past month and no problem what so ever doesnt over heat or anything
13. saxo_gash Newbie Joined: Apr 2010 redditch Posts: 11 saxo vtr

    #13 7th April 2011, 16:38

    that will just be condensation m8
14. Wemi Newbie Joined: Nov 2010 North Tyneside Posts: 16 02 Saxo VTR

    #14 7th April 2011, 18:24

    Thanks for your answers and for sharing your experience. I might try to replace the rocker cover gasket and the pipe to the induction when I have a moment (I think it's only a few £) and will let you know what happens then.
    
    Thanks again.
    
    PS: My car is a complete shed anyway, but I still like it...