Ominous signs or am I just paranoid ?

[pipenslippers]

Originally Posted by brownie21

It WILL be your head gasket. I had same problem, oil in water, coolant loss. Sniff test was negative also. If you leave it long enough you will get mayo under the oil cap and other signs (steamy exhaust, misfiring etc). On 42K and it hasn't gone before then it will not have the MLS fitted. Get it done and forget about it, a big bill yes but then it's out of the way. DO NOT have the head skimmed - it will go again, get them to fit a new or reconditioned one at the same time. I don't care what anyone says - these engines blow head gaskets eventually for no reason other than not having the correct uprated gasket kit fitted. Been there.

Take it to a Rover specialist only - do not trust any other garage - they know nothing about K-series engines.

K-seal won't work either, it's crappy awful stuff and it gets everywhere - waste of a tenner (tried it - twice).

I'd only ever take it to a MG/Rover specialist. Its too precious to allow some grease monkey with a spanner lose on it. Never heard a good word when it comes to head skimming... so that's a definite no no.

No for me (like most folk) its the big bill bit which is holding me back. If I spend £700+ fixing it I'd have to cancel the family holiday. So for now I'll monitor the patient by keeping very close eye on coolant, oil and contamination, levels as well as steamy exhausts etc (now doing this every day). Hopefully it'll give me enough time to save up the dosh. If it gets worse then I'll bite the bullet and no I've decided against taking the k-seal route (unless it’s a real emergency)

P