is my head gasket done

dj_milky · Post by **dj_milky** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:41 pm

right went out to do so winter checks to the car eg anti freeze sqooshers and oil, took the cap off am noticed the oil cap had a bit of mustard lookin gunk on the cap, it mixed fine with the oil when rubbed my fingers with it, was not on all of the cap just a small area, my water level is fine and not went down so any clue what it is. and how will i no if its head gasket etc and whats best to do is the head gasket goes does it damaged the engine any more and will the repair bill be alot more

mysteryboy · Post by **mysteryboy** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:03 pm

The mustard looking stuff doesn't neccessarily mean it's the head gasket...

I've learned it could be due to the car being driven for short journeys only?

I've had the same thing tho and it was the headgasket but like I said it doesn't mean it is... Maybe someone else will have a better explanation.

The_phat_controlleruk · Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:47 pm

I've heard the same thing (short journeys), my head gasket was done last year and still suffers from cream occasionely. Just keep checking your coolant level, how's the temperature gauge? Mine used to run hot(more than normal) when idle, then cool right down when on a motorway, this was an indication of my h/g on the way out. The water pump was the final straw, it gave up.

dj_milky · Post by **dj_milky** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:54 pm

my temp gauge is narmal sits halfway, altho its been takin longer recently due to the cold weather

dragon_green · Post by **dragon_green** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:32 pm

sounds quite normal.

metz · Post by **metz** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:58 pm

sounds fine to me too..as the other guys said..probablu from doing short journeys..my grandad does about 5 miles a week and his is exactly the same.

omicron · Post by **omicron** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:15 pm

Probably not head gasket, but look for signs of oil in the coolant and do a compression test to be sure if you're concerned.

rooby_roo · Post by **rooby_roo** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:48 pm

its quite normal, as the rocker cover is made of alloy usualy and that causes condensation, take it on a long run, check your water level, if the header tank lid blows sky high you got probs. also squeeze the pipes going into and out of the rad they should be squeezable, not rock hard, after the long run your oil cap should be black as the oil will have gone to temperature.