Omfg!!!!

[James Raby]

Just quickly doing basic car checks and noticed water had REALLY gone down in the header tank...

Top it up, check oil and well, lets say I think the engine has finally said 139k is enough thank you very much!

Really stiff dipstick and **** loads of mayo on it too

Is this a "economical fix" or not???

[big_wasa]

can you do the spanner work your self ? its the labour thats dear,

[James Raby]

Could do I suppose, but whats the cost gonna be...

[big_wasa]

Depend on how far you go with it. Just a gasket set and no skim £60

Head set, oil and filter, antifreeze.

Would only do it that way as a last ditch before getting rid and if its not overheated.

To do it properly. ontop of the above.

Head skim ~£30
Head bolts ~£30
Water pump ~£30
Cam belt kit ~£50

Other bits ive forgoten about. ~~~~

[James Raby]

Hasn't overheated at all, temp gauge been perfectly fine, ran fine too

[talkingcars]

A lot also depends on the general condition of the engine and of the car, if the car is spot on apart from the mileage it is worth doing, mine at 109k would be worth doing but my sons R100 at 30k wouldn't, wifes ZR at 41k is being done next week, my daughters R100 at 27k and the MGF at 33k would be done. The T16 maestro at 106k would proberbly get a forged engine rebuild, bored out to 2.2l and a T28 turbo.

[James Raby]

Might have some "good" news

Got a little wound up as you do so thought I'd take it out on the car, engine cover removed and it's bloody soaked under there in coolant!!!

Obviously thermostat is leaking, would this get into the oil?

[talkingcars]

You didn't say it was a V6!
When did you last check the dip stick?
I'd consider sorting the thermostat and see if the mayo continues.
The only down side is that you'll have to strip down as far (and further) a second time if the gaskets need doing.
Car 13 is offering a good deal on thermostat replacment kits.

[James Raby]

sorry, thought you knew :cigar:

I really need to update my sig and avatar lol

Just looked again and its so red under there, been leaking for a while I think as its all crystalised too

Just to confirm, would all that water be able to get into the engine oil???

[big_wasa]

Thats differant, I also thought it was a 120.

If you have Hgf on the mk1 v6 its as good as scrap.

The stats weep but if the V is flooded then its more than a weep.
If there is oil / water mixing and its run low on coolant then I would worry.

Tools alone to get the cambelt of are £200

[talkingcars]

and second hand engines aren't that expensive.

[big_wasa]

But thats a lot of work for the value of car.

[James Raby]

Coolant has never been below minimum!
Going down garage tomorrow to see what the damage is, will try and get pic of the V too

[James Raby]

GOOD NEWS!!!!

Seems it was just a shed load of condensation in the dipstick?!

The engine oil was as expected after a few thousands miles, The dipstick does seem very eager to just pop out though (maybe the o ring perished)

Will be getting a new one (price dependent)
Also getting a thermostat kit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140622422259 and will need an inlet manifold gasket too

[big_wasa]

All well that ends well then. I am sure I've herd of a few that have done mega milage.

[James Raby]

just confused me as most threads state only kv6 gasjet failure bu poorly maintained vehicles!!

I change the oil every 6000 miles regardless! always gets the love and attention it needs

CANNOT find a dipstick though!!!!

[DuckFeet]

will need an inlet manifold gasket too

Is one required? I thought the manifold just popped off the o-rings but the IM stayed attached. Happy to be corrected but thought i'd poke my nose in, in case I can save you some time/effort.

[James Raby]

I mean to get to the thermostat - it's beneath the manifolds themselves (we all call the inlet plenum "inlet manifold" so gets confusing)

[James Raby]

Couldn't resist a quick clean of engine whilst at the garage lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/JamesRaby/IMG_00781.jpg

[petet16]

Dipstick sir

http://www.mgroverpartfinder.co.uk/XPART-MG-ROVER-PART-2113-LQM100901---Vincent+Parts+centre.aspx?back=%2fShowProducts.asp x%3fPageIndex%3d%26part%3dLQM100901%26browse%3d&back1=%2fShowDealerProduct.aspx%3fPageIndex%3d%26p art%3dLQM100901%26browse%3d%26SortBy%3d%26directio n%3d&Amount=1&Price=0.91

[Fred68]

I've just noticed mayo on my dipstick and condensation on the oil filler cap of my V6 Freelander :( I really hope that doesn't have HGF !! I only did the belts 2000 miles ago!! Maybe it's just the short trips it gets? Glad your 180 is ok though!!

[ZS]

I've just noticed mayo on my dipstick and condensation on the oil filler cap of my V6 Freelander :( I really hope that doesn't have HGF !! I only did the belts 2000 miles ago!! Maybe it's just the short trips it gets? Glad your 180 is ok though!!

My old 180 had a smidge on the oil cap.. Cleaned it off and took it for a long blast down the motorway, cleared it all up and never came back :)

[Fred68]

I've not had it long but know the previous owner only did very short trips to the local shop. It does get hot after a 5 mile run but I also noticed it's got the remnants of K Seal on the pressure cap so I wonder if the rad might be blocked? Looks like I've some work to do :(

[James Raby]

Clean the mayo, dipstick in and out like a yoyo!
Changed the oil at the same time, drained (old filter still on) 2 litre diesel and 2 litre new oil, idled for 10 mins (tipped little diesel down dipstick) drained, new filter and oil

It has never driven so blooming smooth before, so quiet and a pleasure too