PLEASE HELP! Gasket gone? Going? Yellow stuff in oil

HOMES

molerat wrote: »

What oil are you running on, many cars will do this with a combination of short journeys and cheap mineral oil.

Going back a few years (well maybe more than a few !!) I remember my Hillman Imp used to mayo up on Castrol GTX but was fine on Duchams Q

I'm not going to lie, I went to a garage back in Jan because my battery was playing up and I needed some oil for the car, he told me to get some oil in a shop adjacent to his garage, it cost £6.

I don't even think this was even the right grade of oil.

I reckon this could be the factor in why all that yuck has come popping out.

A typical schoolboy area, should of know better, im 19 but should be tough and get the basics right.

forgotmyname wrote: »

How much water are you putting in each day?

If you are not losing water then its a lack of servicing and long journeys.

When was it serviced last? How many months/years ago and how many miles ago?

I'm not going to lie, it's been just over two months since I've checked the water/put water in.

I know, i'm stupid. This is probably not major but this is a wakeup call for me, I haven't really looked after the car properly.

Serviced I have no idea, my brother got the car for me but it came with no service history. Last mot was done in 2012 on december 4th.

He said recently he would book the car into a garage of his mate and get the cambelt change. I know this is also very important also considering the car's age and unknown service history.

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Short journeys with the heater on high during winter will not allow the engine to heat up properly.

Recently over the last two months I have turned on heater quite soon after the engine is running so I guess this could be a factor.

I'm guessing it's nothing major and just the following factors:

Garage have allowed me to possibly buy and put the wrong grade of cheap oil in the car.

Short journeys with heater full blast (only on for a quick warm up and off)

Condensation

Not allowing the car to warm up properly

Not checking water levels in car properly.

Lack of service

vaio

As others have mentioned, if it's not using water it's very unlikely to be head gasket failure.

Much more likely, especially in winter, is a build up of condensation caused by the engine not warming up properly on short trips. It won't do any long term harm but I would be inclined to change the oil more often

Norman_Castle

At 19 the engine should have warmed up while wheelspinning in Mc Donalds car park. Clean the gunk off the filler cap and neck and find a Mc Donalds 10 miles away then drive there once a week.

lambo28

I wouldn't worry too much about it as my daughter has the same car - 1.2 campus 8v and there is always mayo on the filler neck and cap even though the car does 300miles a week with regular services.

Tucker

I had an Astra that used to do the same and it ran and ran for years no problem at all.
It doesn't mean the head gasket has gone. Some cars just seem to produce the mayo and yet there's nothing mechanically wrong.

Sounds like yours is well overdue a service and some TLC though!!

YorkshireTraveller

molerat wrote: »

What oil are you running on, many cars will do this with a combination of short journeys and cheap mineral oil.

Going back a few years (well maybe more than a few !!) I remember my Hillman Imp used to mayo up on Castrol GTX but was fine on Duchams Q

That brings back memories of my old Hillman Husky (Imp estate)!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

does your temp guage go way above half way line or into the red and the fan kick on, and are you pluming smoke out the rear end?

if answer to those is no and normal ,power is fine then move onto:

1.dont worry lost of clio's do this, its a result of the oil filler cap not sealing with the filler kneck as sometimes the rubber under the filler cap goes or is missing you then let in cold moist air to the engine when its stood and being run short distances.

2.get some oil flush, oil, and oil filter hell may aswell do the spark plugs and air filter and cabin filter at the same time and service it.

3.either buy a new filler cap, or temporarily seal the cap with thick type elastic bands and screw it down till you make a good seal.

4.once above is done, you will need to monitor your water usage, oil levels and under the filler cap, temp guage, and when you fan kicks in.

its not uncommon for the head gaskets to go in these, but sometimes a misdiagnosis can happen due to the filler cap.

breton_2

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

does your temp guage go way above half way line or into the red and the fan kick on, and are you pluming smoke out the rear end?

if answer to those is no and normal ,power is fine then move onto:

1.dont worry lost of clio's do this, its a result of the oil filler cap not sealing with the filler kneck as sometimes the rubber under the filler cap goes or is missing you then let in cold moist air to the engine when its stood and being run short distances.

2.get some oil flush, oil, and oil filter hell may aswell do the spark plugs and air filter and cabin filter at the same time and service it.

3.either buy a new filler cap, or temporarily seal the cap with thick type elastic bands and screw it down till you make a good seal.

4.once above is done, you will need to monitor your water usage, oil levels and under the filler cap, temp guage, and when you fan kicks in.

its not uncommon for the head gaskets to go in these, but sometimes a misdiagnosis can happen due to the filler cap.

wise advice