Possible Head Gasket?

[Devine15]

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

[stevo67]

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.

[axsaxoman]

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 !!!

[Devine15]

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.

[Devine15]

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!

[Devine15]

If its literally just the head gasket and I have no other problems, is it just of case of replacing the gasket itself?

Cheers

[stevo67]

Ideally i'd renew the cambelt and water pump at the same time mate.

[axsaxoman]

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

[Synister]

https://i.imgur.com/1SJ9WTq.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Vs5F35T.jpg

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

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?

[Devine15]

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

[Devine15]

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.