Important! : Headgasket.......hope not?

1. saxorino Regular Poster Joined: May 2007 Batley, dewsbury Posts: 370 1.1x saxo(gone), vauxhall vectra

   #1 7th December 2010, 13:35

   I have a saxo 1.1 98 plate, and yesturday the water warning light came on so when i got home the radiator was empty so i filled it up, then after driving about 3-5 miles ish (about 15mins driving) it came on again and again the radiator was empty, cant find any leaks anywear and there is white gunk on the oil cap but im hoping thats just condentasion, but also when i try to bleed the system at the first bleed valve on the left of the carb no water will come out at all. so is it my headgasket thats gone or could it be something else?.
2. patt Newbie Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 9

   #2 7th December 2010, 14:00

   Hi, try bleeding it as the Haynes book says. It's fiddly! You fill it under slight pressure using a taped on funnel leaving the bleed screws open. Shut the screws when water appears. Do the one by the thermostat first, then the higher one above the drivebelt. Then adjust the water level. When hot, the level will rise an inch or so.
   If the level goes back to the full mark when cold, it's ok.
   If you've done all this and you lose water you have problems.
3. user_31895 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 Milton Keynes Posts: 601 Polar white VTS Fixed for the 2nd time!

   #3 7th December 2010, 14:03

   it'll be the head gasket if water is emptying that quickly and you cant see a leak
4. saxorino Regular Poster Joined: May 2007 Batley, dewsbury Posts: 370 1.1x saxo(gone), vauxhall vectra

   #4 7th December 2010, 14:14

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by patt Hi, try bleeding it as the Haynes book says. It's fiddly! You fill it under slight pressure using a taped on funnel leaving the bleed screws open. Shut the screws when water appears. Do the one by the thermostat first, then the higher one above the drivebelt. Then adjust the water level. When hot, the level will rise an inch or so. If the level goes back to the full mark when cold, it's ok. If you've done all this and you lose water you have problems.

   Cheers il try that.
   
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Riko360 it'll be the head gasket if water is emptying that quickly and you cant see a leak

   Deep down im 98% sure it is but i dont want to admit it yet, im trying everything else hoping its not the gasket, but i forgot to mention i only changed he gasket about 7 months ish back, so if it is i must not have done it properly but the car has been fine up until last couple of days. thanks anyways
5. Callum_T L-plater Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 41 Citroen saxo stateside 1.1 (5dr)

   #5 1st February 2011, 21:15

   Hi, i have a saxo 1.1 stateside that i bought just over a week ago. After inspecting everything i found a large amount of oil in the water tank, constant oil leak and white smoke out of the exhaust piipe. is this a head gasket problem?
   also is the white smoke oil steam seals that are gone?
   please reply!!!!
   thanks peoples (:

   1 user thanked this post: chris_saxo_1986
6. user_39173 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 Hull Posts: 983 01' Ph1 VTS

   #6 1st February 2011, 21:38

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Callum_T Hi, i have a saxo 1.1 stateside that i bought just over a week ago. After inspecting everything i found a large amount of oil in the water tank, constant oil leak and white smoke out of the exhaust piipe. is this a head gasket problem? also is the white smoke oil steam seals that are gone? please reply!!!! thanks peoples (:

   If there is a white/yellow murky/mayo looking gunk on your oil filler car or coolant expansion bottle top then it is head gasket and the white smoke is defiantly burning water/oil it is less likley to be oil valve stem seals.
7. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #7 1st February 2011, 22:08

   In reply to the 1st question take the filler cap off the radiator if you can smell petrol fumes then the head gasket has gone.
   
   Steve.
8. user_31412 Established Member Joined: Feb 2009 ★ West / North Yorkshire ★ Posts: 1653

   #8 1st February 2011, 22:48

   If you are opening the bleed screws and no water is coming out then your water pump has probably broken, causing the headgasket to fail
9. Callum_T L-plater Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 41 Citroen saxo stateside 1.1 (5dr)

   #9 24th July 2011, 19:32

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by JonCarter If there is a white/yellow murky/mayo looking gunk on your oil filler car or coolant expansion bottle top then it is head gasket and the white smoke is defiantly burning water/oil it is less likley to be oil valve stem seals.

   Hi, thanks for ur help and sorry i didnt come back!! (forgot my passworsd) It turned out to be a head gasket in the end, (as expacted) and luckily i didnt have to get the head skimmed!!
   cheers!!