Possible Head Gasket?

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

    Last night when I got back from a mates I popped the bonnet and noticed my coolant was bubbling and dripping over, I let it cool down and when I took the cap off the coolant was a creamy colour. I know that means I've got oil mixing and hoping its not a head gasket.

    I've got no other symptoms to point to head gasket failure no over heating etc could it be anything else or am I f***ed??

    Thanks
  2. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #2
    Yes could be the head gasket,but could also be an air lock with the coolant.Try draining the coolant flushing through with water,then fresh 50/50 mix bleed it & let us know the results.
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  3. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380
    #3
    emulsified water --eg oil in it means what ever other problems --you have a leaking head gasket at least
    dip finger in it --does it feel oily when you rub fingers together?--there your answer

    yes it could be caused by air lock or faulty rad cap -or bad thermostat--but if oily then head gasket failure

    could just be old age --got to be 14 years + old at least !!!
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  4. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS
    #4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stevo67 View Post
    Yes could be the head gasket,but could also be an air lock with the coolant.Try draining the coolant flushing through with water,then fresh 50/50 mix bleed it & let us know the results.

    Thanks for the reply, that was my first thought, I'm gonna do it Saturday, I'll let you know.
  5. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by axsaxoman View Post
    emulsified water --eg oil in it means what ever other problems --you have a leaking head gasket at least
    dip finger in it --does it feel oily when you rub fingers together?--there your answer

    yes it could be caused by air lock or faulty rad cap -or bad thermostat--but if oily then head gasket failure

    could just be old age --got to be 14 years + old at least !!!

    Cheers, it is oily so I think I could be in a bit of trouble I'm gonna flush it first and see how I get on. It's 16 years old, I love it though!
  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS
    #6
    If its literally just the head gasket and I have no other problems, is it just of case of replacing the gasket itself?

    Cheers
  7. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #7
    Ideally i'd renew the cambelt and water pump at the same time mate.
  8. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380
    #8
    when head is off check for distortion -fit new gasket +h bolts +thermostat + belt
    water pump --if no signs of leaking from it --no need to change it
    usual reason for pump failure after gasket is wrong belt tension ,otherwise they are very reliable
    presuming you do not have a genuine belt tensioning tool- leave belt cover off --start engine and bleed --check belt tension again when engine is hot
    if you can play a tune on it --its too tight --thats what ruins pumps
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  9. Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 269 106 Rallye
    #9





    I'm guessing this is the headgasket then...

    It's still running fine, a bit hot. I'm going to do a wet compression test at the weekend. Any idea what psi the cylinders should be putting out for a healthy TU2J2 engine?
  10. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS
    #10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by axsaxoman View Post
    when head is off check for distortion -fit new gasket +h bolts +thermostat + belt
    water pump --if no signs of leaking from it --no need to change it
    usual reason for pump failure after gasket is wrong belt tension ,otherwise they are very reliable
    presuming you do not have a genuine belt tensioning tool- leave belt cover off --start engine and bleed --check belt tension again when engine is hot
    if you can play a tune on it --its too tight --thats what ruins pumps

    Nice one mate appreciate the help, gonna give it a go over the weekend. I've read its worth doing the cambelt and water pump at the same time.

    I'm breaking a Mk2 VTS at the moment, the cambelt was replaced on that less than 2,000 miles ago (professionally), can I use that or get a new one? Just thinking cost wise

    Thanks
  11. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2015 London Posts: 162 Mk1 Quartz VTS and Mk1 Posi Blue VTS
    #11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stevo67 View Post
    Yes could be the head gasket,but could also be an air lock with the coolant.Try draining the coolant flushing through with water,then fresh 50/50 mix bleed it & let us know the results.

    Drained and flushed system yesterday was definitely oil in radiator, replaced radiator too. Took it out an old Mk2 that's sitting around.

    Re-Connected,filled up with water and bled, no problems with over heating so took it out for a spin for about an hour, had a look at the water and nothing in it.

    (Reason for water is I thought it would be easier to notice and s**t that may be in it, gonna drain and fill with coolant in the week)

    Still worried about Head Gasket but will keep an eye on it, not my daily at the minute, think I may have a small leak and might not show again for days/weeks.
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