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[Doodley]

I have read various posts about head gaskets and oil coolers, but my filler cap has mayonaise on (it cleared after a long run, but keeps coming back, even on long runs), there is no mayonaise on dipstick before or after the car has been run, the coolant level keeps going down (not too fast) the oil appears to have water in, it seems really runny and drips of the end of the dipstick. there is no oil in the coolant, the bottle looks a bit rusty but the coolant/water isnt. It has full vauxhall service history, and is a 3.0 manual, where do i start? is it oil cooler, head gasket or something else? I am confused by the symptoms i read in other threads, they seem very alike! any help greatly apprecieated!

[Doodley]

if it helps it has done 93k miles

[Entwood]

If I had to put money on it ... I'd go for the oil cooler developing a slow leak which will only get worse.

As the coolant system remains presurised for a long time after the engine is switched off, a very small leak can lead to a significant amount of coolant entering the oil system.

I'm sure an expert will pass by shortly and prove me wrong how ever ....  

[Big_Roger]

Hi,
Don't get too stirred up about the mayonaise in oil filler cap thing, its very common on the V 6 engines.
Its a bit like hearing of someone having a serious illness, you can soon imagine you have the same with a few symptoms.

I know you may be able to get a garage to carry out sniffer test on header tank, but can you smell any petrol / cold morning rich exhaust sort of smell from the header tank ? If you can't then it's not likely head gasket.
As the oil pressure is higher than the pressure in the cooling system even when running, you will see definate oil sheen and yuk in the water if it is the oil cooler.  If there is much water in the oil you will have white yuk on the oil dipstick.

Slow water leaks are a pain to find sometimes, when hot, the water evaporates before you can see it,  there are plenty of possibilities on Omegas, The HBV, the heater matrix, water pump, all seem to be very common.  If you can pressurise the system cold you may spot them easier.

If all you can really notice is a slight loss of coolant, look for some of the simple things to leak before assuming the worst.

Roger

[Doodley]

no, cant smell any fumes, is it worth getting checked at a garage with their change colour dipstip thing (excuse the technical term)?! is it safe to keep driving until the worst comes to the worst & the oil ends up in the header tank, then i can definatly know what is wrong, or should i get it investigated and sorted now before it causes serious problems/.

What I dont want to do is go to a garage and for them to keep replacing possible parts until they eventually get it right & i end up with a huge bill for things i didnt need! thanks for your replies

[hotel21]

Try this flowchart and see if your symptoms fit....

[Doodley]

thanks very much will have a proper check at the weekend. thats a very helpful diagram whoever designed it. thanks