Oil in coolant, i think. Please help

tommyleed · 10th April 2016, 15:02

Hi all, just checked my coolant today during routine inspection. I noticed small speckles of what looked like oil floating at the top. I don't know how to attach a pic, plz help. Better safe than sorry!

Rickrover · 10th April 2016, 15:30

Have you checked the oil for creamy deposits on the dip stick?
Take off the oil filler cap and check for off white foam.

roverbarmy · 10th April 2016, 15:41

Mine had a similar thin film of oil/mayo just starting, so I bit the bullet and got the head gasket replaced. The seals were just starting to disintegrate. (56k miles and approx 10 years old) By catching it early, no damage was done and the replacement was straight forward.

hgv2 · 10th April 2016, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by roverbarmy

Mine had a similar thin film of oil/mayo just starting, so I bit the bullet and got the head gasket replaced. The seals were just starting to disintegrate. (56k miles and approx 10 years old) By catching it early, no damage was done and the replacement was straight forward.

A wise move roverbarmy. I see you are not that far from me, can you advise/recommend who did the work please? Wife's K series has problems and I want to get it fixed / upgraded if poss.

tommyleed · 10th April 2016, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickrover

Have you checked the oil for creamy deposits on the dip stick?
Take off the oil filler cap and check for off white foam.

Have checked, no creamy deposits. That's what has got me confused. It's a 2.0CDT. Could it just be coincidental?

James.uk · 10th April 2016, 17:38

Head gaskets are a known weak point on the 1.8 engine, NOT on the diesels.

I think you just have the usual condensation one gets in an engine.

...

T-Cut · 10th April 2016, 18:26

Oily droplets floating in the header tank are a sign of engine oil leakage into the cooling system. On the diesel, this is typically due to a failure in the oil cooler, but there's at least one recent discussion almost proving that the head gasket can deteriorate around the coolant and oil channels. Not HGF in the classic sense, but requires the same remedy.

TC

tommyleed · 10th April 2016, 18:47

Thanks guys, will get it checked by my mechanic tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

Mike Noc · 11th April 2016, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyleed

Hi all, just checked my coolant today during routine inspection. I noticed small speckles of what looked like oil floating at the top. I don't know how to attach a pic, plz help. Better safe than sorry!

As mentioned a common symptom of a failed oil cooler on the diesels.

10th April 2016, 15:02	#1
tommyleed Newbie Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: derry Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Oil in coolant, i think. Please help Hi all, just checked my coolant today during routine inspection. I noticed small speckles of what looked like oil floating at the top. I don't know how to attach a pic, plz help. Better safe than sorry!

10th April 2016, 15:41	#3
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	Mine had a similar thin film of oil/mayo just starting, so I bit the bullet and got the head gasket replaced. The seals were just starting to disintegrate. (56k miles and approx 10 years old) By catching it early, no damage was done and the replacement was straight forward. __________________ Oil in my veins!

10th April 2016, 15:30	#2
Rickrover Newbie MG ZT-T Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Penzance Posts: 25 Thanks: 18 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Have you checked the oil for creamy deposits on the dip stick? Take off the oil filler cap and check for off white foam.

10th April 2016, 17:38	#6
James.uk Passed Away 2002 Pale Blue. Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur auto. 170K miles Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Near the M67. Posts: 14,509 Thanks: 199 Thanked 585 Times in 397 Posts	Head gaskets are a known weak point on the 1.8 engine, NOT on the diesels. I think you just have the usual condensation one gets in an engine. ...

10th April 2016, 18:26	#7
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,752 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	Oily droplets floating in the header tank are a sign of engine oil leakage into the cooling system. On the diesel, this is typically due to a failure in the oil cooler, but there's at least one recent discussion almost proving that the head gasket can deteriorate around the coolant and oil channels. Not HGF in the classic sense, but requires the same remedy. TC

10th April 2016, 18:47	#8
tommyleed Newbie Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: derry Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks guys, will get it checked by my mechanic tomorrow. Fingers crossed!