Mr2 Possible Head Gasket Problem

[flipper]

Hi,

I have a 1993 GT bar and whilst checking the oil the other day I noticed a yellowy substance on the inside of the filler cap. I know nothing about cars but understand that this could signify a head gasket problem. My questions are these:

1. Is there any other possible cause? Someone has suggested condensation in the engine but I couldn't get my head round how this could occur. (Possibly useful further information: The car is due a service so the oil is quite old. I do a lot of short journeys of around a mile)

2. If it is a head gasket problem where should I take a car of this age to get it sorted? Is it worth taking it to a main dealer or are there specialists who could do the same or better job for less? How much should I expect to pay?

3. The car appears to be running without any noticable problems. If I delay in getting this sorted will I be doing damage to the engine?

Any help and advice offered would be gratefully appreciated.

[blueorb]

Sounds like head gasket to me! I looked at a tubby earlier which had the same problem.....white gunk in the oil filler cap and inside the rocker cover. Also lots of white smoke from exhaust.

Go and get a test.

Find a garage with crypton tune or exhaust emissions tester(All M.O.T stations)

Get them to put the co2 probe in your water expansion bottle to test for gasses in there. If there is co2, your gasket is blown.

Also are you loosing water over a period of time. This will eventually get worse.

Head gasket is a fairly expensive job, as the cylinder head will need pressure testing and skimming with valves re ground and seated. You will need a new cam belt at the same time.

Make sure who ever does the repair gives you a written quote so that they stick to it. I have been caught out before.

Good luck mate

[flipper]

Thanks very much for the advice Blueorb.

Do you think there could be any other causes which could be tested for aswell?

[mikeb]

As you are only doing short journeys, the engine (and oil) isn't getting warmed up. Moisture/condensation in the air mixes with the oil, and makes the sludge. The problem is exasperated by using cheap mineral oil. Get a good semi or fully synthetic oil to replace it with.

IMO it is unlikely to be the head gasket, unless you have seriously overheated the car, which is pretty much impossible this time of year. If it was your headgasket, then the oil level would be going up as the coolant mixes with it in the sump. Also, the coolant level would be going down, but that's not always easy to see with the expansion tank arrangement.

[flipper]

mike b

it is semi synthetic oil but has had a few thousand miles of short journeys so it's probably not in the best of condition!

the oil level is not rising.

the car has never overheated in the two years i've had it (not according to the temperature guage anyway).

i must admit that i can't see the coolant level because of the location of the expansion bottle (it actually took me a year to find the bottle) but have assumed that it is OK because the temperature gauge has always had a constant reading (once the engine is warmed up). I think i need to get an inspection mirror though!

thanks very much for taking the time to reply

[blueorb]

Just keep an eye on your water level/temp

Change oil as reccomended and see how things go.

As long as you dont over heat the motor, you wont damage the engine if the gasket is on its way out.

As I said, if you are really concerned, get it checked. A compression test (A device that fits into the plug socket in the cylinder head) will also give an indication.

If you are not loosing water or running hot, just see how things go for a while.

Service the car, change oil and coolant if not done recently and give her a good run.

Hope this helps!