Ominous signs or am I just paranoid ?

[pipenslippers]

Got the Block testing kit tonight... Got the car running up to temp. Took the cap off the expansion tank (and managed not to burn myself) and stuck in the test tube and waited and waited... After a nervous few mins looked down at the tube and .....

The indicator came back negative. *Phew. There're were no exhaust gases detected in the coolant system. Does this mean I can finally slay the specture of a head gasket failure into the pit of saved cash and venture on to find another reason?

I noticed on a recent posting ( http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=58627 ) my troubles might be caused by an inlet manifold gasket failure. If it were such a failure won't the car splutter when accelerating? or are there other symptoms that indicate an inlet maniford failure ?

Cheers

Pipe.

[rrobson]

Originally Posted by pipenslippers

If only someone could build a coolant level mod for the 75's....

Cheers

Pipe.

this may be closer than you think, me and cymrudragon have been investigating this and a prototype is currently being created using an intrusive sensor. another one will hopefully be constructed using a non intrusive method but have yet to see how reliable either will be. keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks and there should be some successful progress made

[rrobson]

Originally Posted by pipenslippers

Got the Block testing kit tonight... Got the car running up to temp. Took the cap off the expansion tank (and managed not to burn myself) and stuck in the test tube and waited and waited... After a nervous few mins looked down at the tube and .....

The indicator came back negative. *Phew. There're were no exhaust gases detected in the coolant system. Does this mean I can finally slay the specture of a head gasket failure into the pit of saved cash and venture on to find another reason?

I noticed on a recent posting ( http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=58627 ) my troubles might be caused by an inlet manifold gasket failure. If it were such a failure won't the car splutter when accelerating? or are there other symptoms that indicate an inlet maniford failure ?

Cheers

Pipe.

hate to disappoint, but the block tester check for the exhaust gases into cooling system, not water into oil, so hgf is still a possibility. if the hg fails on the exhaust side, chances are you wont notice any drop in performance etc, it would just cause a loss in water and pressurisation of the cooling system. if its the other way around, water in the engine can cause miss fire as obviously water doesnt burn. same goes for inlet manifold, you wouldnt notice if it was leaking by driving, but chances are you would smell coolant evaporating off the hot engine, which you are doing.

[pipenslippers]

Originally Posted by rrobson

hate to disappoint, but the block tester check for the exhaust gases into cooling system, not water into oil, so hgf is still a possibility. if the hg fails on the exhaust side, chances are you wont notice any drop in performance etc, it would just cause a loss in water and pressurisation of the cooling system. if its the other way around, water in the engine can cause miss fire as obviously water doesnt burn. same goes for inlet manifold, you wouldnt notice if it was leaking by driving, but chances are you would smell coolant evaporating off the hot engine, which you are doing.

Mmmm There's no indication of water collecting on the underside of the oil cap. When I undo the expansion tank cap after running the engine upto temperature there is a "healthy" hiss as the system depressurises. The engine purrs like a cat and has never once miss fired in the time I've had it. The exhaust is "clean" too. So I'm hoping this is a good sign that there's not an impending HGF.

I'll investigate the inlet manifold. BTW although no one has suggested investigating the turbo unit... could it be at fault ? Do I need to consider this ?

Cheers

Pipe.

[rossocorsa]

I had similar symptoms on my TF eventually a small amount of pinkish scum started appearing in the header tank so I've just had the gasket done better to catch it early than end up with a very difficult to flush out engine full of mayonnaise/blancmange. At the end of the day getting the headgasket done isn't all that expensive about £300 to £500 depending what else you have done at the same time if you are concerned I'd get it done as it's always a bit of a ticking time bomb on the original gaskets anyway but try to find a garage that others here have used and can be trusted

[pipenslippers]

Originally Posted by rossocorsa

I had similar symptoms on my TF eventually a small amount of pinkish scum started appearing in the header tank so I've just had the gasket done better to catch it early than end up with a very difficult to flush out engine full of mayonnaise/blancmange. At the end of the day getting the headgasket done isn't all that expensive about £300 to £500 depending what else you have done at the same time if you are concerned I'd get it done as it's always a bit of a ticking time bomb on the original gaskets anyway but try to find a garage that others here have used and can be trusted

Must admit I'm still considering doing the HG replacement as I suspect the car still has the original gasket installed. It would be one less worry. Mind you the replacement price you mention is somewhat lower than I've been quoted. I was expecting more in the £700 region. That's with an uprated Xpart gasket and oil rail (think water pump too) and a through flush of the oil and coolant systems. (All cam belts etc are new so dont need replacing).

Cheers

pipe.

[rossocorsa]

I didn't go for the oil rail, wisdom varies on whether it is necessary or not, having not long since done belts and pump it cost £400 without belt or waterpump, that's on a TF which is probably more awkward to do due to lack of access. I'm told that the oil rail would add roughly a couple of hours labour plus the parts cost, waterpump is a 5 min job when it is all in bits anyway and costs around £30 for the part. If you've caught it early the flushing through will be no big deal my engine was very clean inside

[kaiser]

Dont fix it if it ain't broken.
If you keep an eye on your water level, find and fix the leak (which is most likely inlet manifold, water pump or T-piece) and enjoy the car, I don't think you can do better.
If you keep a close watch, you will get many pointers if the system lets go. Then you can fix.
That day may, or may not, come.
Fitting a new head gasket plus bits is in itself no guarantee for no problems in the future in any case.
So, to revert to your original problem, are you paranoid? If you put in a new gasket based on what you have now, definitely YES.
If you leave alone and check, then you are just rovernoid. Borderline nervous, but not fully blown (excuse the pun) paranoid

[rossocorsa]

well I think the posters gasket is beyond 'not broken' it shows all the initial signs of going I think it is not sensible to wait until it fills the whole engine and cooling system with hellmanns over as it is difficult to flush out

[brownie21]

Originally Posted by pipenslippers

Must admit I'm still considering doing the HG replacement as I suspect the car still has the original gasket installed. It would be one less worry. Mind you the replacement price you mention is somewhat lower than I've been quoted. I was expecting more in the £700 region. That's with an uprated Xpart gasket and oil rail (think water pump too) and a through flush of the oil and coolant systems. (All cam belts etc are new so dont need replacing).

Cheers

pipe.

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).