2nd opinion needed

nutcase · 5 Mar 2006 at 14:35

Not sure on my diagnosis, so am offering it up, and asking for anything else to check

1.2 corsa. R reg, 20,000 miles. Mostly short journeys. Full service 1,500 miles ago, September ish. Very small amount of mayonnaise noted under the oil filler cap.

Car was started this morning, conked out straight away, wouldn't restart. I was called (cos I'm a very nice man - amateur grade!). Battery fine (12.7v), altenator fine (14.something V). Plugs fine, fuel fine, air intake tract fine, filter fine. Oil level fine. Small amount of mayo in the dipstick tube, but the oil itself looks clean.

Under the oild cap was a large quantity of mayo. A LOT more than when I serviced the car. A compression check showed 125psi 125psi 150psi 150psi. The coolant expansion tank level is fine, and shows no contamination. I started the engine and it seemed fine. Put the engine under some load and it didn't stall.

So, I think the HG is showing early failure symptoms. Or is the mayo caused by repeated short journeys, so not letting condensation evaporate?

blueboy2001 · 5 Mar 2006 at 14:41

Sounds like the HG has started to fail between an oilway and a coolant channel.

Oracle · 5 Mar 2006 at 14:55

^^^^^ yup thats my guess, although the low mileage certainly wont be helping either!

Spanker · 5 Mar 2006 at 14:58

I would guess it is just the short journeys, you can get testers to test the coolant for signs of h/g.

Tesla · 5 Mar 2006 at 17:39

Spanker said:
I would guess it is just the short journeys, you can get testers to test the coolant for signs of h/g.

I thought they tested the coolant for exhaust fumes?

nutcase · 5 Mar 2006 at 17:44

Yup, you folks are confirming my thoughts

I thought the tests looked for oil in coolant? Not sure where I'd get one from, any ideas?

gc123 · 5 Mar 2006 at 17:51

bearing in mind the weather conditions and the fact that you already stated it is only used for short runs, i would think you are being a little hasty ,with head gasket probs. i would say to the owner give it a good long run once a month, or buy some lettuce...

blueboy2001 · 5 Mar 2006 at 17:53

You can test for a major HG failure by putting a gas analyser just inside the neck of the header tank whilst revving the engine - if it picks up any exhaust gasses then you know the HG has failed between the cylinder and the coolant channels.

It wouldn't be any use in this scenario becuase I suspect the gasket has failed between the cylinders which the compression test seems to confirm.

M0T · 5 Mar 2006 at 17:56

Theres something wrong there, the cylinders should all have compression levels within 10% of each other.

Thats what my car looked like when the head gasket failed, very small amount of mayo under the oil cap a little bit in the dipstick tube and no coolant contamination. Initially I assumed it was lack of use, but less than 24 hours later...

nutcase · 7 Mar 2006 at 11:36

The car's now with a local garage. They wanted £35 just to look at it

But the dealer wanted £65 :eek:

Should hear soon the verdict.

I still think it's the HG failing. We shall see. At the moment, the filler car looks like yours, M0T. but the dipstick is fine apart from a small amount in the tube itself.

nutcase · 7 Mar 2006 at 22:44

G'ah! They couldn't find the problem

Think we're going to keep driving it, keep a tow rope in the car, the mobile fully charged, and check it regularly!

happytechie · 7 Mar 2006 at 23:52

when i boiled my MG in a traffic jam the other year the AA bloke had a pressure tester with him he tested and passed clear my headgasket at the roadside in 2 minutes so £45 seems a bit harsh but if the garage have said that there is no problem then I guess it should be fine?

Have you tried getting them to back up there (lack of) diagnosis with a warrenty?

HT

nutcase · 8 Mar 2006 at 09:26

They didn't say there wasn't a problem, just that they couldn't find it in a test drive and checkover (pretty much what I had already done for free). The only evidence of a problem is that it is running a little sluggish and it occasionally stalls (which it didn't do for them).

There was no mention from them of emulsified oil in the filler cap. We decided not to mention that to them in case it is a red herring or they decided to use that as an excuse to get work (I have an inherent lack of trust in garages!!!).

Tesla · 8 Mar 2006 at 09:37

Sounds like they didn't do ANYTHING.

Really, did the mileage even change?

Dandle · 8 Mar 2006 at 09:54

It sounds to me like the engine is just breathing heavy due to short journeys. I would look at cleaning the breathers out before doing anything else.

agw_01 · 8 Mar 2006 at 10:34

Dandle said:
It sounds to me like the engine is just breathing heavy due to short journeys. I would look at cleaning the breathers out before doing anything else.

Good thinking.

A good old Italian tune-up should be in order methinks.

nutcase · 8 Mar 2006 at 11:29

Tesla said:
Sounds like they didn't do ANYTHING.

Really, did the mileage even change?

As it happens I was walking back from town and saw them drive out the garage in it, so it at least went up the road and turned right. After that, :confused:

I'm trying to find some time at the weekend to get the car back off my friend for a while. I like your thinking of the breathers. Not sure what the best way of cleaning them out will be as the hoses are held on with single use clamps

Might have to see if I've got some spare jubilee clips!

nutcase · 8 Mar 2006 at 22:20

Hmm, I sent a text asking if it was still running rough. Response - yes, but not bothered. More upset about someone taking the wing mirror off in a carpark and no note :mad:

Never rains but it pours...