Head gasket gone?

1. Devine15 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS

   #1 3rd February 2015, 22:04

   Hi all,
   
   Just having a look around on here and have some questions about my vtr.
   
   1) Rushing sound from engine, I have figured it now needs bleeding, it has been like that for about 6 weeks, is it bad to drive like this? Only happenings in mornings. Temp is absolutley fine.
   
   2) Breather pipe on rocker cover the rippled one isnt currently connected to anything, could the air have got in through there? I got silicone pipe and filter,will fit tomorrow.
   
   3) Also have oil on the heat shield from manifold and rocker cover, could that be from open breather on rocker cover? I have no leaks at the moment.
   
   Any help appreciated
   
   Cheers
2. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #2 3rd February 2015, 22:11

   The rushing sound is probably an air lock,in which case bleed the cooling system.Air would not get into the cooling system via the breather.Oil around the rocker cover is probably because you need a new rocker cover gasket,or your oil cap is leaking.
3. Devine15 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS

   #3 3rd February 2015, 22:15

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevo67 The rushing sound is probably an air lock,in which case bleed the cooling system.Air would not get into the cooling system via the breather.Oil around the rocker cover is probably because you need a new rocker cover gasket,or your oil cap is leaking.

   
   Thanks for the quick reply, looking around the forum I was a bit worried my head gasket might have blown.
   
   Obvious question I suppose, best way to determine where the very thin film of oil is coming from would to be give the engine a clean and keep a close eye on it?
4. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #4 3rd February 2015, 22:29

   Yep degrease the engine with gunk,run the engine till warm then apply with an old paint brush.
5. Devine15 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS

   #5 3rd February 2015, 22:35

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevo67 Yep degrease the engine with gunk,run the engine till warm then apply with an old paint brush.

   Sorry if I'm beimg a tool here, apply what?
   
   Thanks again
6. DipSnapStick Newbie Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 20

   #6 4th February 2015, 01:06

   I assume the degreaser to the gunk to remove it easier, cold / hard / formed oil is a pain!
7. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #7 4th February 2015, 07:48

   Both of you GUNK is the fluid that you degrease the engine with.
8. user_54541 Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 Klaipeda, Lithuania Posts: 23 Citroen saxo 97 1.1i MK1

   #8 8th February 2015, 21:18

   If oil always missing and antifreeze not clean, headgasket failure.
9. Devine15 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS

   #9 8th February 2015, 21:31

   Oil level is fine, has been since service in November. Not overheating. Probably could do with a flush, what you think?
10. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #10 8th February 2015, 21:35

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by rokazas001 If oil always missing and antifreeze not clean, headgasket failure.

    Antifreeze will be dirty if not changed at regular service intervals,not only does cool the engine but it contains anti rust agents.Buy some radiator flush and flush the cooling system through,followed by fresh antifreeze and water.

    1 user thanked this post: Devine15
11. user_54541 Newbie Joined: Aug 2011 Klaipeda, Lithuania Posts: 23 Citroen saxo 97 1.1i MK1

    #11 9th February 2015, 14:11

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stevo67 Antifreeze will be dirty if not changed at regular service intervals,not only does cool the engine but it contains anti rust agents.Buy some radiator flush and flush the cooling system through,followed by fresh antifreeze and water.

    I forget mention if dirty is like light cream color in antifreeze and on oil filler cap.
12. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #12 9th February 2015, 14:50

    Another sign is the coolant smelling of petrol.
13. Devine15 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS

    #13 9th February 2015, 15:23

    No mayonnaise/cream on filler cap, coolant doesn't smell of petrol (really dirty though) I'll give the engine a clean this week. My bet is the rocker cover gasket-needs replacing. Oil level is fine too.