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[Richgm]

As the weather has gone a little cooler I tried to use my heater the other day and found it was luke warm at best. Checked HBV which seemed OK so decided to flush the heater matrix out.
When I connected the hose to the matrix outlet it blew an unbelievable amount of mayo out.  Further investigation has found that the whole of the coolant system is contaminated with an alarming amount of mayo. Checking the dipstick the oil level is OK with no signs of mayo but there is a bit inside the filler cap which I noticed a couple of weeks ago when I topped up the oil. I also checked the water level at the same time but as I didn't need to take the cap off the expansion tank I didn't notice if there was a problem then.

This evening I've flushed the coolant system out and the heater matrix (heater now works) and ran the engine with the expansion tank cap removed so I could top the water level up as the water circulated and any trapped air came out. Which was fine until the temperature started to rise as the coolant level then rose rapidly and started to come out of the top of the tank. Temp was not hot enough to open the thermostat.

My first though is head gasket but i would have expected it to pressurise the coolant system right from engine start. So I thought it wise to ask those with far greater knowledge then me before I start to pull the car to bits.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rich

[aaronjb]

I believe the most common cause of oil in the water (especially if the opposite isn't true) is the oil cooler failing..

[Kneepad]

Yup oil cooler. you're going to have to do an awful lot more flushing with a degreaser as well once you've changed the oil cooler.

The water in the expansion tank will boil over, as the water will boil at a lower temp. when not pressurised.

[albitz]

Yep. Oil in water= oil cooler gone
Mayo on filler cap= condensation, usually due to short journeys, nothing much to worry about.
If you keep using the car, it will soon cause more serious problems, best to stop using it if at all possible, and get it fixed asap.
If your not that handy with spanners Darth-Loo knee is local to you, and can do the job with his eyes closed. Might be worth contacting him.

[Richgm]

Thanks for the replies.
I've done some searching and dug up some part numbers so will order the bits when I can.

I've got to use the car for the next 8 days then I can get on and fix it. Fortunately the max distance I have to travel is 12 miles and I'll check the levels daily and flush out again if I have to.

Albs, I know one end of a spanner from another but it's always handy to know there's someone fairly local if I get into trouble. So thanks for the info.

Rich

[feeutfo]

Strongly suggest not using the car in that state, flushing will be harder, risk blocking the matrix, and the oil will eat the rubber coolant hoses meaning a burst pipe, all the coolant over the floor and not in the engine,and hopefully there will not be a bike following you up the road because he will come off on it, coolant is very slippery....leave it at home.

[albitz]

I was in a similar position a year or so ago. I did use the car for about a week, but I flushed the system every day until I got a day off work, which is probably why I just about got away with it.

when flushing daily I used automatic washing machine liquid ( the stuff the Mrs puts in the machine to wash the clothes), rather than just flushing with water.
Im not recommending you keep using it, better not to, but if you must you must.

[Kneepad]

If you take Albs advice, then I would also keep a very close eye on the oil level.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Remember that everytime you turn the engine off, it will also deposit some water in the oil.

Defo oil cooler, it still amazes me that people think this can be head gasket

[Richgm]

Well I go to the weekend and only covered 26 miles.
I now have the use of another car so I've been pulling mine to bits.

I'm having a spot of bother with one of the pipes that go from the oil cooler to by the oil filter. The higher one came off OK but the bottom one I can't budge. Anyone know how hard it is to fit a new pipe if I cut the pipe off so I can get a socket on the fitting?

[Welung666]

Rich, I'm not that far if you need a hand Bottom pipe is tight but it should come out, have an iron bru and try again

[feeutfo]

19 mill crows foot spanner? Would much rather bend the pipes than cut them 

[Richgm]

Welung, Thanks for the offer. If I get really stuck I might take you up on it.

Chris, I was thinking along the same lines but in my case I was thinking 19mm Ring spanner (Free from work-but don't tell anyone  ) modified with an angle grinder.

[aaronjb]

Welung, Thanks for the offer. If I get really stuck I might take you up on it.

Chris, I was thinking along the same lines but in my case I was thinking 19mm Ring spanner (Free from work-but don't tell anyone  ) modified with an angle grinder.

Or a 19mm brake pipe spanner - designed for the job
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brake-Pipe-Flare-Spanner-10mm-12mm-13mm-15mm-17mm-19mm-/400160133019#ht_2385wt_1345

(Or as Chris said, a crows foot socket)