Blown head gasket?

[Terrafied Scouser]

Hi I've got a Seat Terra (marbella van--basically mark one ohv fiat panda engine and running gear.) Lots of problems with it gradually getting fixed including a leaky front exhaust at the manifold joint now sorted. BUT I am getting fumes showing mainly in the left headlight, fumy smell in traffic and seems to be running a bit hot (fan often is on). ALso there is cream under the oil cap --I presumed it was condensation due to sitting around for several months. I cannot see any oil in the coolant and it doesn't lose any. Its not a very powerful car but presume thats due to the antiquated design of engine etc.
Any ideas--I am gradually coming to the opinion that its the head gasket. I have ordered a compression guage-- is it a reliable test? Is it worth trying the sealant additive first to the coolant or are the adverts' claims a bit optimistic? Would be interested to hear of any ideas.
Thanks,
Graeme.

 

[sludgeguts]

The mayo under the oil cap is either condensation from too many short journeys OR coolant seeping into the oil (so you won't necessarily see oil in the coolant) through a dodgy head gasket.
When you talk of 'antiquated design' (of engine etc), I have owned those designs as nearly new & never had a problem providing they were maintained.
If you are seeing exhaust fumes then I would suggest there is still a problem with the exhaust leaking. Maybe best to check in the dark using a narrow beam torch. starting at the block with the manifold and working along each joint - and not forgeting the flexible pipe (if there is one).
As for the fan being on a lot - they were. Those engines weren't as heat efficient as modern engines & as soon as you stood still the temps would rise. In the summertime, it wasn't uncommon to spot loads of breakdowns where the system simply overheated, the fans not being able to cool things down enough, what seemed to have helped a lot was the introduction of the expansion tank whereas before you would simply fill the rad to within an inch of the top you now fill an expansion bottle about halfway - that's a heck of a difference.

A compression guage will tell you if things aren't quite right & should certainly detect a broken head gasket. HGs were always an easy fix on older engines & often well worth the time and effort to replace rather than mess around with additives etc that promise to seal the gasket - with the head off, you get a chance to decoke the cyl head and piston crowns as well as reseat the valves. You also get chance to see if the oilways are clear - especially where the tappets rely on lubrication (so worth taking everything off the head & cleaning up).

 

[Terrafied Scouser]

Thanks for all the helpful advice there. I will try with the torch. Encouraging to hear about your experience with these engines. I have never changed a head gasket before. Is it worth getting the head reconditioned if there is a gasket failure? Thanks.

 

[sludgeguts]

Thanks for all the helpful advice there. I will try with the torch. Encouraging to hear about your experience with these engines. I have never changed a head gasket before. Is it worth getting the head reconditioned if there is a gasket failure? Thanks.

Does the head need reconditioning? Gaskets can fail for a number of reasons. When you remove the head, you may see damage to the gasket - lack of damage 'may' indicate a warped head. with the head off, you can check it's true with a steel rule - put the side of the rule over the head to see if it's warped. It might just be that a couple of bolts missed out on the final torque?

BTW, you might be getting smoke coming off the exhaust if some oil was spilled on it.