rover 45 head gasket?

[roverbeast75]

My dad bought a 45 a month ago with 21.000 miles on the clock.
now it almost has 25.000 miles and recently I decided to check his fluids for him. the coolant was empty with white froth on the cap and inside the reservoir. there is no white froth on the oil cap though.

Is it safe to assume that the head gasket has already started to fail or are there other things to look out for first?

there are no leaks

[dave lincs]

Yes it does sound like HGF from what you say

[Yorkshire GOC]

Originally Posted by roverbeast75

My dad bought a 45 a month ago with 21.000 miles on the clock.
now it almost has 25.000 miles and recently I decided to check his fluids for him. the coolant was empty with white froth on the cap and inside the reservoir. there is no white froth on the oil cap though.

Is it safe to assume that the head gasket has already started to fail or are there other things to look out for first?

there are no leaks

A quick check for HGF is to give her a 15km thrash at motorway speed (top up the coolant first) - leave her overnight then open the expansion tank cap - if there is a clear audible escape of gas/pressure this points to exhaust gas in the coolant system and therefore HGF - should be no pressure in a cold system.

[TourerSteve]

Originally Posted by roverbeast75

My dad bought a 45 a month ago with 21.000 miles on the clock.
now it almost has 25.000 miles and recently I decided to check his fluids for him. the coolant was empty with white froth on the cap and inside the reservoir. there is no white froth on the oil cap though.

Is it safe to assume that the head gasket has already started to fail or are there other things to look out for first?

there are no leaks

Has the car got any history of a Head gasket change or with the mileage is it assumed original
Have you checked the car for any external leaks

K series head gaskets usually fail in two ways , Cross contamination or the fire ring passing exhaust gases into the coolant system
Cross contamination is usually a breakdown of the elastomer on the gasket which allow oil and coolant to mix ! Even though with no froth on the oil cap is your oil level starting to rise ,as coolant could be draining back into the sump ? This may happen without pressurizing your coolant system as the fire ring on the gasket may not be compromised . You may find the oil has not had time to emulsify yet
As Yorkshire GOC says if problems with the fire ring , combustion gasses will pressurize your cooling system

My advice would be to top up coolant and make certain of correct oil level, check for any external leaks and monitor levels for a few days . Any problem will soon manifest itself one way or another but I suspect if no external leaks possible elastomer break down as you would probably eject coolant out the header tank if pressurizing coolant system

[chris75]

Originally Posted by Yorkshire GOC

leave her overnight then open the expansion tank cap - if there is a clear audible escape of gas/pressure this points to exhaust gas in the coolant system and therefore HGF - should be no pressure in a cold system.

Seconded
Remember , once you switch it off , walk away without touching the cap and leave it 'til next morning . Patience !

[roverbarmy]

Low mileage cars like that can have had little in the way of servicing. Short trips will build up a lot of moisture/condensation. Do an engine flush and fill with fresh fluids. I bought a 25 which was the same and the previous owners garage had said that the head gasket had gone. After flushing, I ran it for two years with no engine problems at all.

[roverbeast75]

Originally Posted by Yorkshire GOC

A quick check for HGF is to give her a 15km thrash at motorway speed (top up the coolant first) - leave her overnight then open the expansion tank cap - if there is a clear audible escape of gas/pressure this points to exhaust gas in the coolant system and therefore HGF - should be no pressure in a cold system.

I will tell him to do this & will update soon

[Yorkshire GOC]

Originally Posted by roverbeast75

I will tell him to do this & will update soon

Also sniff/smell the expansion tank at the same time - if you have HGF you will probably smell exhaust gas in the tank .