Is the head gasket going?

Gavin78

I don't have a clue about cars but I have a 52 plate chrysler neon.

The coolant reservoir tank stared to bubble like mad yesterday, I did some searching on the net and found that the possible cause is the head gasket is on the way out.

However the engine runs fine it never over heats and the temperature gauge is running at the same level it has always done since we got the car 3 years ago.

The only thing I have noticed and I might be getting this wrong is the fan on the car doesn't seem to kick in as much as it used to. I have checked the oil for any funny colours and it looks fine to me and there is nothing leaking from the car.

This might sound like I am stupid but the radiator does it ever need filling with water? I've never touched it since I have had the car and it's one thing I haven't checked yet. I know some say it can be a faulty cap.

Looking for some advice as the car is only worth about £800-£1000 not sure how much a gasket replacement is but I know they aren't cheap.

Taking it to motosave on tuesday to see if there is anything they can do before I take it to a garage. being a bit stupid with cars I'm a bit weary about getting ripped off for a Gasket when it's something simple

Strider590

Check for correct coolant level (not difficult), check that it's coloured (blue or red), because if its just plain water, it'll have a lower boiling point.

Also replace the coolant filler cap, these have a spring loaded pressure release valve, which can stick open and cause the coolant to boil.

Gavin78

You mean in the reservoir tank? It's just water I only thought you put in a 50/50 mix during winter time, it only started doing this since the weather got like it has the last 2 days.

The yellow coolant flap looks fine it sticks down well but I will have a look at the radiator cap tomorrow once the wife gets home from work and the engine has cooled down.

forgotmyname

Dont trust the temperature gauge. Seen a fair few read normal as the car overheats and cooks itself to death.

Faulty thermostat could cause it to run hot and overheat. Waterpump may have plastic blades that fail. So the same water gets heated and not circulated to cool down.

Could be several things, But if your not clued up then get it to a garage quickly.

Weird_Nev

A garage can do a "sniff test" with a machine on the coolant tank - it detects the exhaust gas bubbling through the coolant tank if it is a head gasket.

A simple "head off, change gasket, replaced cambelt" job needn't be expensive - Can be as little as £200-£300 depending on the car and garage, but if you run the car with a failing head gasket you risk catastrophic engine damage.

Bubbles through the coolant doesn't look good, I'm afraid. Get it seen to.

Richard53

If the coolant is bubbling with the engine running, I would suspect the head gasket straight away. Serious, but not a disaster. But, as others have said, get it seen to asap.

Anti-freeze has anti-corrosion properties as well. Most makers recommend keeping a 50/50 mix in all year round for this reason. I used to run a Triumph Dolomite 1850HL with a warped cylinder head that went through about a litre of coolant a week. I topped it up constantly with tap water (cheapskate) and within 2-3 months the cooling water was a rusty brown. Not good.

Gavin78

Thanks for getting back to me, will take it into a garage as soon as then, I'm not that clued up on cars wish it was something I had an interest in when I was younger would have helped loads.

Everything points to a head gasket from reading on the net but also that it could be something simple. with it being a Chrysler nothing is cheap which is what I have found out with this car. I got a quote for a cambelt change with water pump for £375 last year not had it done yet but car is now at the 90k mark so was something I was looking at this year before all this started to happen.

I know head gasket changes can be expensive car is only worth about £900 so might consider getting rid if its something daft like £500-£700 because by the time I get the cambelt done the work will be worth more than the car.

I'll update this thread once I know more.

Just wondering I read online today about sealants like sealsteal is it worth looking into stuff like this or suggesting it to a garage?

[Deleted User]

I've got an oil leak underneath both ends of the engine on my 206 and the coolent bottle has oil in the water. Temp gauge still sits in the middle though.

EdGasket

"Just wondering I read online today about sealants like sealsteal is it worth looking into stuff like this or suggesting it to a garage?"
Get it diagnosed first. If it is definitely the head gasket then try K Seal.
I know people who have had success with K-Seal. However you will need to follow the instructions and do the job yourself as a garage won't be interested in this type of 'fix'. There are reviews of it on the net. However if it is a bad leak, it probably won't help.

Retrogamer

Are there any other signs of head gasket failure?

Oil in the expansion / header tank.
Water in the oil.
Loss of power.
Overheating.
Running rough (3 cylinders)
Lots of steam coming out the exhaust after the car has fully warmed up

To me the bubbles just sound like the water is boiling to be honest from the abnormally hot weather.

OddballJamie

Could be an airlock, dodgy fan or temperature sensor. Do you have an OBD reader to check the temperature to make sure the fan is kicking in at about 95c?

Also check the hoses on the radiator to make sure they are getting hot, I've had an expansion tank boil from a sticky thermostat before.