Head vs heart dilemma

[Moonshine Mark]

Originally Posted by "Big Blue"

After nearly 18 months of ownership, it is showing all the signs of HGF.
"It's a V6, it can't be HGF" I hear you say....

But the symptoms are as follows:
Mayo in the filler cap
Using coolant.
When coolant level goes down, oil level goes up - some oil blowing out of the dipstick.
Mayo in the breather pipes.
Pink staining on the front bank spark plugs. (rear bank not inspected)

None of this appears to be affecting performance, but the coolant usage and visible mayo is increasing, so it's only a matter of time until it gets worse.

I'm sure people will say HGF never happens to V6's however apart from the dipstick blowing out your symptoms sound the same as when the Head Gasket went on my 190

When you say there is Mayo in the filler cap is it a significant amount? If you run your finger along the inside of the Rocker Cover is that full of Mayo as well?

My car had no loss of performance and didn't even over heat.

As has already been suggested it is worth having the Oil Cooler looked at as a first step, it is much cheaper than fixing the Head Gaskets.