High Pressure Coolant System/Possible Head Gasket Failure

cyclonebri1

But the car isn't overheating when it's not running Mike;)

The main point here is the extent that a gasket has failed (if it has).

As mentioned if it is catastrophic the car doesn't run, it's only the minor symptoms that create confusion.

A small amount of fluid leaked into a pot under static conditions would be evacuated very quickly on start up.

Lets not get on to the subject of an engine failed do to hydraulic lock up:eek:

angel00079

Thanks everyone for all the advice. It has been a few days since I was last on MSE so I was suprised by all the replies.

The car has been running fine for days. It has started no problems even in the cold snowy mornings. The temperature is fine. I am wondering if there was a small hole in the hose that was causing the regular need for topping up. I guess I will need to keep an eye on it.

Unfortunately, I do not know as much about cars as I would like. I did a few car maintenance courses a few years ago but didn't really try anything on my car as I didn't have the tools. I am hoping that I will get some more spare time soon so I might invest in some tools and give some of the smaller jobs a go instead letting the garage doing. I have 'toyed' with the idea of getting a project car because somethings look easier then they are. I wonder how many cars have been 'wrecked' by DIYers. Anyway I am digesting.

I think that the K-Seal mentioned by JumpingJack is not a bad idea. I might get some for the other car as well. I am going to see how it runs and get some of the test mentioned done. I don't think that I can ignore that there might still be something wrong.

The quote was £780 so repairing if there is a problem not really viable. The possibility of needing to change the car has made me question if I really need a car and if so would I be better getting a smaller one. The only reason we had an estate was because we were renovating a house which has now been completed. I thought that not having a car was a nice idea but I think that I would get a bit fed up of getting the bus and then an half an hour walk to work. I like walking but it would probably get boring. So now I am thinking about changing the car for something smaller in a girlie colour. I am wondering if my brother will want to drive a pink or purple car.

Thanks again for all the advice. I will see how it runs over the next few days and post an update.

ozvaldinho

It's a shame you didn't stick in the K-Seal when your heater matrix went; it could easily have stopped your leak without burrowing under your dashboard. Peugeots and Citroens seem to suffer from corrosion in the heater matrix.

toby_puppy

A quick question - my 2003 peugeot 206 estate was serviced Oct 08 and had an oil change.
Not long after the car seemed to start leaking oil on the drive and has been ever since (totally ruining the driveway!)
Anyway, I have taken it to a different garage to investigate the leak.
He's got it up on the ramp and said that the oil is really coming out of it down the side of the engine and the oil level on the dipstick it still way above the maximum mark.
He thinks that the car has been overfilled with oil and it's a seal that's gone. he said there are 3 seals (I think one was a crankseal?) but it could be the head gasket and that would be around £300 to fix. If it's one of the other 2 seals, then it would be around £120
I'm not doubting his explanation but just wondered if anyone knew that overfilling with oil could cause these sort of problems. I thought if the head gasket had gone then the car wouldn't be able to be driven but I've been driving it since October.
The only thing I've noticed is that it has been stalling a bit more frequently and the temperature on the guage is slightly above the middle where it used to be - not very high but just over the middle mark.

goldspanners

jostenning wrote: »

A quick question - my 2003 peugeot 206 estate was serviced Oct 08 and had an oil change.
Not long after the car seemed to start leaking oil on the drive and has been ever since (totally ruining the driveway!)
Anyway, I have taken it to a different garage to investigate the leak.
He's got it up on the ramp and said that the oil is really coming out of it down the side of the engine and the oil level on the dipstick it still way above the maximum mark.
He thinks that the car has been overfilled with oil and it's a seal that's gone. he said there are 3 seals (I think one was a crankseal?) but it could be the head gasket and that would be around £300 to fix. If it's one of the other 2 seals, then it would be around £120
I'm not doubting his explanation but just wondered if anyone knew that overfilling with oil could cause these sort of problems. I thought if the head gasket had gone then the car wouldn't be able to be driven but I've been driving it since October.
The only thing I've noticed is that it has been stalling a bit more frequently and the temperature on the guage is slightly above the middle where it used to be - not very high but just over the middle mark.

it would have been better to start your own thread.
but i would suggest if its not already been done,the cheaper option would be to drain off the oil,refil with new stuff to the right level this time and then clean all the oil that has leaked over your engine and keep a very close eye on both engine oil level and the apparent leaks.
the guys explaination was spot on and fairly good prices for the work to be done if required. be very thorough with the cleaning,a good pressure wash of the lower half of the engine would be ideal. but keep clear of any electrics and H.T leads.

cyclonebri1

Sound advise:money:

angel00079

A quick update. The car has been given a clean bill of health. It has been running with no problems for a few weeks now. The coolant is good. Before it was having to be topped up every few days.

I am glad I held off. I was going to scrap the car or sell it for peanuts in the local paper.

Thanks for all your help.