Is my car about to die?

R0B75

R0B75

R0B75

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Joined
15 Aug 2003
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Kirk Langley
Hi

Being a total car novice and not understanding much about engines I need advice. I think my car may be about to die.

I washed the car this afternoon and whilst I was at it, I thought I would check the oil and fill up the screen-wash. I decided to look at everything else whilst I was on a roll and kind of wish I hadn't.

I discovered this. :eek: :( Advice please.

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And this
 
ok ok theres water contamination in the oil.


normally associated with head gasket failure.


BUT this can also happen thru condensation, do you do a lot of short journeys?????

i assume you checked all other fluids at the same time how were the water levels
 
Thats HGF without a doubt, especially combined with the loss of coolant. Condesation does not produce that ammount of mayo.

What car is it?
 
The last pic (as a link) shows the water level was lower than minimum and I also do a lot of short journeys, 5-10 minutes to and from work/to and from nursery.
 
bmh.01 said:
Thats HGF without a doubt, especially combined with the loss of coolant. Condesation does not produce that ammount of mayo.

What car is it?
Click to expand...

It's a Polo (1996)
 
It could be due to short journeys, i've seen it before, oddly enough on a polo!

However it could be dur to HGF, in which case it needs sorting. Keep a eye on the water lever and for contamination, also check the dipstick, if you have mayo down there then its HGF, whilst driving keep an eye on the temp, if it cooks you've had it. If you find any of the above then get it to a garage for a checkover.
 
my bro-in-law has a 1996 polo and recently had the same problem, he was doing 15 min journeys to work and 15 mins back, and it got so bad he would have to refill at each end due to massive water loss.

It was a HGF, didnt cost him too much to have repaired and the car is yet again in tip top condition, well the engine anway, he has pretty much destroyed the body :rolleyes:
 
The car had an oil change, oil/air filter and plugs changed in the summer. Back then there was no sign of this mayo stuff as it was checked.

The dipstick today was clean, no sign of anything down there. The car never overheats - I've never seen it go above half way on the temp gauge, not even in the middle of summer.
 
Doesn't look bad enough to be HGF, my Ka and my Seat Leon both had this where I do a lot of short trips. Build up of condesation is the problem, just wipe it off and give the car a good run on the motorway and check it after that, will probably be fine.

NS
 
I seriously hope that's what it is as I've got the MOT next month, and I know that's going to cost me a fair bit.
 
If it is a build up of condensation, then a LONG drive should clear the majority of built up mayo out (Make sure you wipe off as much as possible first though!). It could also cause complete HG failure though :p
 
With that amount of Mayo - I would say that the Head Gasket's gone.

Does the car overheat at all..? White smoke from exhaust?

Worst case scenario - The Head could be cracked....

...and to answer your question... Yes - Your car is about to die :( (sorry)
 
RoB- said:
It's a Polo (1996)
Click to expand...

those cars(and their engines) hate short journeys, it can lead to all sorts of problems.Wipe it all off, top up all the water and oil and give it a desent run*






*take your AA or RAC card with you just in case :)
 
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