Head gasket

cena

How do you know that the head gasket is gone or going.

Would there be no heat inside the car.

I removed the oil cap and white gunk on it. I put my finger on the inside of the car and more white junk. This gunk has been on the cap from time to time and I would wipe it off. It has been doing this since the car was brought new on 07.

It is a 07 Astra.

heffoo

Oil and water mixing is normally what causes the white gunk I think and using s lot of both is a sign of a headgasket problem

Anan1

That might just be from condensation. How does the coolant look? Level/condition?

cena

Anan1 wrote: »

That might just be from condensation. How does the coolant look? Level/condition?

Coolant keeps dropping a small bit from time to time. There was hardly any on Christmas eve. I can't see any sign of a leak

heffoo

Oil and water mixing is normally what causes the white gunk I think and using s lot of both is a sign of a headgasket problem

Anan1

cena wrote: »

Coolant keeps dropping a small bit from time to time. There was hardly any on Christmas eve. I can't see any sign of a leak

How much coolant is it going through?

andrew1300r

That white gunk could be from the car doing small distances every day & not getting up to full temp or being driven on/off every couple weeks. Top up with coolant & bring car for a good 1/2 -1hr drive. Then check to inspect coolant when car has cooled down & check levels. If it's dropped only a bit top up with a coolant leak/ head gasket fluid that you can get in any motor factor shop.

cena

Very little to top up. I hadn't to put any in the last two weeks till today.I would it was about 5mm below the max line it could of been less.

The car has also doing very small trips less than a quarter of a mile to the school and back in the morning

cena

andrew1300r wrote: »

That white gunk could be from the car doing small distances every day & not getting up to full temp or being driven on/off every couple weeks. Top up with coolant & bring car for a good 1/2 -1hr drive. Then check to inspect coolant when car has cooled down & check levels. If it's dropped only a bit top up with a coolant leak/ head gasket fluid that you can get in any motor factor shop.

Is it safe a engine.

Anan1

cena wrote: »

Very little to top up. I hadn't to put any in the last two weeks till today.I would it was about 5mm below the max line it could of been less.

The car has also doing very small trips less than a quarter of a mile to the school and back in the morning

I wouldn't worry so. Just keep a close eye on the coolant from now on.

cena

Anan1 wrote: »

I wouldn't worry so. Just keep a close eye on the coolant from now on.

I may just drop it into the garage tomorrow and ask them about it. Plenty of heat in the car

Anan1

cena wrote: »

I may just drop it into the garage tomorrow and ask them about it. Plenty of heat in the car

You could have the coolant system pressure tested, if it'd put your mind at rest.

biko

My first guess is short trips to shops and weather.
Keep an eye on it after any long journey.

And you're right, no heat in car could mean low coolant levels (once car is up to temp).

JC01

If its had the same symptoms since 07, I wouldn't worry so long as its not overheating. For peace of mind you could get it sniff tested at a decent garage. This is to test for the presence of hydrocarbons in the water in your cooling system. Takes 20 mins tops

cena

JC01 wrote: »

If its had the same symptoms since 07, I wouldn't worry so long as its not overheating. For peace of mind you could get it sniff tested at a decent garage. This is to test for the presence of hydrocarbons in the water in your cooling system. Takes 20 mins tops

Could I do it myself

JC01

The proper kit is kinda pricey, the less technical way is drain a bitta water outta the rad into a bucket, leave it sit and look for any traces of oil. You won't see anything unless the HG was proper frigged though and if that was the case you'd have a lot more symptoms showing up anyways.