Head Gasket Failure

[RAF_gti 0]

I think I may have a knackered gasket, I had a large puff of white smoke whilst driving and now I have Mayo in the filler cap

 

Is it simply a case of replacing the gasket or should I also get the head skimmed? The engine was rebuilt ~10K ago so I would assume the gasket was replaced then. Assuming it was in good condition what else would cause it to go or indded cause the white smoke/mayo?

 

thanks!

[large 33]

Mayo in the oil filler cap is normal.Have you got the white smoke all the time? Are you losing coolant?

[M@tt 77]

you can do a compression test on it, that would indicate whether or not the HG is duff between a couple of the cylinders, or you can get a garage to do a sniff test on the coolant system, it detects carbon monoxide iirc in the coolant, indicating combustion gasses are being forced into the coolant

[flipperthebushkangaroo 2]

Its not that unusual to have a little mayo in the oil filler cap although the smoke does sound ominous, how does the water look?, not long had my head changed its worth getting it skimmed as the head can pit and warp also for £30 or so not worth the risk of not doing it IMO.

Not sure what else would cause the smoke though unless its been messed about with recently.

 

Is the car at work or home? if its at work PM me as i know a reasonably priced local garage or pop over to "TMU training cell" for a visit

 

Roddie

[RAF_gti 0]

Its not that unusual to have a little mayo in the oil filler cap although the smoke does sound ominous, how does the water look?, not long had my head changed its worth getting it skimmed as the head can pit and warp also for £30 or so not worth the risk of not doing it IMO.

Not sure what else would cause the smoke though unless its been messed about with recently.

 

Is the car at work or home? if its at work PM me as i know a reasonably priced local garage or pop over to "TMU training cell" for a visit

 

Roddie

 

 

Cheers Roddie

 

Car is at home, it was my over enthusiastic drive home on Thursday which did it I think!

 

Car was going fine then there was a trail of white smoke folled by a cloud then it cleared up again, engine felt strong afterewards apart from being rather lumpy when idling.

 

There was no mayo in the cap beforehand and I've not had a chance yet to look at the coolant, I dumped it in the garage on Thursday and not had a chance to look at it since.

 

I believe 'we' are dropping a standalone PC off to you this week so I may use that as an excuse to pop over

 

Steve

 

ps nice pic with the Phantom