Head gasket gone?

[steg90]

Hi,

I've got loss of coolant, and white smoke coming out of the exhaust. I checked the dip stick and that seems fine, doesn't appear to have any milky deposits, just
looks like oil. Car juddering in neutral which I guess is possibly because coolant is getting into the oil?

Any advice is appreciated,

Regards,
Steve

[steve_earwig]

Maybe the leak didn't make it to an oil gallery yet. Does it pressurise the cooling system (do not try this when it's hot!!)

[steg90]

Hi Steve,

The leak is quite a lot as I've just had to put in another 1.5ltrs and that's within about 5 hours of last filling it.

How do I check if it pressurises the cooling system? Is this a matter of undoing the coolant cap?

Many thanks,
Steve

[steve_earwig]

Well yeah, as I say don't do it hot or you'll end up in casualty.

[steg90]

Ok Steve,

Well, undoing it earlier today, got the usual hissing, like a pressure cooker, that mean anything?

Also noticed that the only way I could drain the system was to take one of the pipes that goes from the radiator to the thermostat off (drain plug on rad = no water came out), tonnes of
rusty water came out, like a daft git, I did this when the engine was still a little warm, if only this had been captured on camera, could have
sent it to harry hill, lol!

Thanks again,
Steve

[jasper5]

Your description is that of a classic cylinder head gasket problem.

[steg90]

Ok,

Then I guess fingers crossed that it is just the gasket and no skimming required? Car is only worth about £800.00, is it
worth having fixed?

Regards,
Steve

[jasper5]

Before you go and replace the head gasket, try replacing the thermostat and bleeding the system.

The head should always be skimmed and depending on the engine, new head bolts and a genuine head gasket fitted.

It would be an expensive job in a garage.

[mark21TD]

What engine is it ?