So I went in for a set of new front tyres and have been told that my head gasket may have gone . There is quite a lot of oil in the coolant so I'm just wondering if there is anything else to check before assuming it is the head gasket? I have very little experience under the bonnet of a car however I bought this car with the intention of learning and I'd hate to have to take it to a garage if its something I can do myself. WHAT DO I DO?!?!?
More likely the oil cooler has gone Easy to check if remove the two pipes from it and join them with a small bit off pipe To bypass it Then with the engine running look for oil coming out one of the pipes on the cooler
Hi mate, Checks - compression test using the a compression test gauge screwed into the spark plug holes - that will help identify whether the gasket leak is effecting compression... but the compression test could miss a leak between channels that is not breaking through in to the cylinder. Also - you should have water cooled oil cooler (front of engine, to the right of the water pump). You might just have a leak in that, allowing the oil and water to mix. However I'm not sure how common that is. Some of the other members will be a bit better placed to help you go through the checks. Reason for my reply - if it is a head gasket - it is a fair job, but not impossible for a 1st time mechanic. There is bound to be a guide on here, if not, then a Haynes manual should have enough info to guide you start to finish. Head gasket parts are relatively cheap from what I remember. And doing the job is a good learning experience and a chance to check out/change the timing belt & tensioner, and have a look around at the condition of the bores etc.
thanks for the responses, i'll check the oil cooler this weekend when i get chance and let you know whats happening, and possibly get a compression test done
