Head gasket?

[Mikey01]

Hi guys,

Totally new on here, and not too techie myself. Basically need some advice,.


Bought a 2000 W reg 1.2 ELX 8v a week back

Runs really wel, very smooth but it does seem to get too temp very quickly. Doesn't seem to overheat (no red lights). But the needle quickly gets to half way and stays there, the fan comes on as well soon after.
Any thoughts on if this is normal?

This kind of links to my next question, there seems to be a little dampness around the cylinde head )I think.....could this mean the head gasket has gone?

Thanks

 

[Mikey01]

This is a photo of the area:

 

[SeanW]

That's the rocker cover.

Coming up to half and staying there is normal for these.

Does it blow hot air from the blowers, and does it gurgle?

 

[Mikey01]

Hi matey,

Ah right, so it's not the head gasket that's in the photo but the rocker cover....doh. It still has a gasket tho right?

It does gurgle, quite noticeably after a few mins following startup.

Hot air does come out of blowers.

 

[Bri]

Try using "KSEAL" in your radiator if youve got a slight head gasket leak it will stop it ..worth a try if your worried its about a tenner from car accesory shops.You could also have a thermostat problem? .

 

[Mikey01]

What is the moisture likely to be in the photos and where is the likely source.?

Re the gurgling noise, I can have a go a bleeding it. Is this done via the screw on the top of rad?

 

[Mikey01]

Bump


I have marked the coolant level as well, so hopefully can see if it actually losing any.

 

[s130]

The 'damp'/moisture is actually oil. Very small oil leaks slowly creep over surfaces to produce and enlarged area like you have. I suggest you go to Halfords and buy some "Gunk" (engine cleaning fluid) and clean that area up. (spray onto warm engine, aggitate surfaces with stiff brush then carefully spray/rinse off with water)

Once cleaned then sprinkle some talkcum powder around the area and keep a check on it over the next few days. Any oil leak will show up quickly.

It is not unusual for rocker gaskets to weep a little. Personally I would just keep and eye on it for the time being. You may find that the leakage is so small and easily cleaned up that it is not worth replacing the gasket just yet.

If there are gurgling noises then this suggests you have air in the water system. There will be one or more bleed taps. One somewhere around the top of the radiator and possibly one in one of the water hose around the engine. Make sure the car heater is set to max hot. May take a couple goes to fully bleed the system.

Would avoid using any magic sealing fluid until one actually knows what, if any, problem there is.

 

[Mikey01]

Thanks for all the help Guys, really appreciate it.

A local garage did the rocker cover gasket today for me, and helped me to bleed the cooling system, a lot better already and I'll bleed again in a few days to see if there is any air remaining.

Thanks again
Mike