Coolant loss and mayo on oil filler cap
 

Hi guys,
I have recently spotted some mayo on the oil filler cap. I am also having to top up my coolant once a week with about a coffee cup full of coolant. I drive 60 miles every day and the coolant temp never rises above 92 degrees. I also have a rattle when first starting the engine, which settles down after a couple of minutes. Do you think this is a sign of hgf starting?
Any help appreciated as always:}

Steve,

When the engine is for started when cold, is it a bit lumpy, trying to misfire?

I'm thinking about the inlet manifold. I know you have changed this for the Alloy VVC version, but it would be my first port of call.

it looks that way as you have both coolant lose and signs of mayo, condersation can be ruled out as you are doing long trips ,inlet manifold gasket being the cause wouldnt cause mayo so it would just cause a lumpy idle until coolant had been burnt off.so i would say the signs you have do point towards hgf,

Steve,

I would say that a maximum of 92 degrees isn't hot enough, either for a good engine or one with head gasket failure. Try driving in 'econ' mode so that the radiator fan isn't running all the time. You should expect your temperature to approach 100 degrees when stationary in traffic after a run at cruising speed. A thermostat which doesn't close properly will cause low running temperatures which can result in the mayo under the oil filler cap.
I had this on my KV6 and it was a damaged auxiliary drive belt.

Simon

Thanks guys for your replies. I got called into work earlier and haven't been home long.
Paul, I'll go over the inlet manifold again tomorrow. There is no sign of any leaks around that area. It doesn't seem lumpy or misfiring, just tappety:shrug:

Chris, as said it isn't lumpy.

Simon, I always thought 92 degrees was a good temperature. When I have asked other 1.8 owners about their temps, they were the same as mine:shrug:
Do you think I should change the prt?
I'll give it a go in 'econ' mode tomorrow.

Steve, 92 in my opinion on a 1.8 N/A is about right, The Turbo version slightly hotter around 96.

Check the Inlet for any leakage, The Mayo is a serious issue, have the Head checked out at the earliest opportunity.

Will do thanks

Steve,

I don't think you should change anything yet. 92 degrees is possibly o.k. if your 60 mile trip is at speed on dual carriageways. I'd be interested to know if it rises when you stop, or enter the urban crawl, because I would expect that. I'd like to rule out the possibility of low coolant temperatures before sounding any alarm bells.

Simon

My journey to and from work is along the A14 dual carriageway at around 70-75mph all the way. There is a small section of local B roads where I have spotted the temp at 94 on occasion.

Ahh, so first 92, then 94! :D So when you park at work, does it creep a bit higher, perhaps, maybe? ;)

Simon