My New Van

[PearlyG]

Hi All,

Yet another newbie keen and willing to learn and after some help.

I have bought my first T25 (1.9 Petrol) and I love it. Problem is after only 4 weeks I've noticed that it on occasion emits white smoke, not all the time just some times and seems more when it's cold/damp (but not allways). This started alarm bells ringing and so I had another look at the oil and looks clear of any water ingress. Next checked the coolant and that's when my heart sank, I noticed that the white tank behind the number plate was empty and after removing the lid from the other tank it is full to the brim but the coolant isn't exactly clean.

What I'm asking really is does it look like I've got head gaskett problems and if so what are my options?

Any advice, help would be very gratefully received?

Thank you.

Paul.

[PearlyG]

OK, maybe I should be a bit more specific with my questions.

Seeing as I have no other symptoms (not overheating, no power loss, minimal smoke and only occurring occasionally) Should I try the Wynn's approach as described in the Wiki or should I just concede the worst and go for something like an Elite recon engine.

What investigations should I do before conceding enough is enough and getting a replacement engine?

As before, any help would be really appreciated?

Thanks,

Paul.

[kevtherev]

white smoke?... or is it condensation from the exhaust?
cold mornings make that happen, best viewing start up smoke in the summer

you might get pale blueish smoke with oil on start up... then it clears (valve stem wear), but continious blueish smoke is ringwear, normal for previously abused engines.
use mineral oil (20w 50) and keep your eye on the oil level... and keep a note of the amount needed to top up.

no need to panic yet buying new engines ...just start saving up for it, by next year if it's worse, you'll have the cash.

there isn't a head gasket in a flat four like other engines
it's just a big steel washer on top of the barrel

[PearlyG]

OK thanks, don't think it's condensation as it was smoking when restarted after a brief switch off to unload following a 4 hour drive back from Devon. It was parked on quite a slope on the drive, not sure if that is relevant?

I was more worried about the murkiness/milkiness of the coolant. I will take your advice and monitor the situation keeping a close eye on levels in the meantime and I think I'll go crazy and change the coolant whilst I'm at it.

Better get down the bank and open a camper van savings fund I think.

Thanks for your help.

[andisnewsyncro]

Have a read up on all things cooling system related, then give it a flush and replace it with a proper 50/50 mix.

There's all the info you could ever need about how to bleed it on here somewhere. Hopefully it's just old & mucky, but at least you'll know it's correct and you can monitor it from then on.

Coolant isn't cheap but it'll be cheaper than having a garage charge you for an hours labour

[kevtherev]

Better get down the bank and open a camper van savings fund I think.

Thanks for your help.

hey it's what we do here
as for savings....
My van is linked intravenously to my bank account.

[rob1927]

Hello folks this is an interesting topic for me at the mo, i had a similar heart sinking feeling last week when i checked the coolant it was murky with a very dark sludge in the cap. I instantly thought head gasket, I posted a thread and got some advice, i'm gonna bleed the cooling system remove the knackered rear heater reconnect the pipe/hose work with pipe connectors fill her up and monitor. Out of interest how have you gone on with yours Paul?

Colinthefox advised me on checking the oil cooler just above the oil filter.


Fingers crossed i aint got a knackered head gasket.

Good luck.

Rob.