T25 Petrol 1.9 Watercooled - White Smoke - Head Gasket

[richbeery]

Hi all, happy bank holiday!

I have a question to which I probably suspect the answer, but I’d like to be armed with a bit more tech knowledge before I drop her off at the garage please...

T25 1989 1.9 Petrol water cooled manual with 105000 miles, I’ve owned her for 6 years and just had bodywork repaired and resprayed in original autosleeper white.

Anyway, after an hour of motorway, slowing to junction and a huge cloud of white smoke appeared behind me. Stopped and checked oil and water, both ok, no leaks. Started up and no sign of smoke.

Drove on for another hour and it happened again when standing in traffic, again oil and water ok, no sign of oil mayo residue on cap and oil level still at top of full mark. It started to rain and there was evidence of a bit of oil below.

This time on starting the smoke returned, white, oily smelling and it lingered around a lot.

So came home on lorry.

She is drivable, went 1 mile on a fruitless trip to a garage, with low revs and gentle throttle the smoke is not too bad, Rev it up and it pours out.

My usual garage man is away for 2 weeks, and the van is supposed to play a lead role in my wedding in 3 weeks!

Never easy is it?

I’ve looked through the archives here, so suspect head gasket or piston ring issue but my engine tech isn’t good enough to spot if this other garage are knowledgeable or making it up! Once they take the engine apart, she’s going nowhere!

I see elite engines are £1200 or so.

Any help gratefully received,

Rich

[DoubleOSeven]

1. Don’t get married.
2. I think the green rubber seals on the top of the barrels have failed.
3. Home rebuild required.
4. The marriage car isn’t that important, find a mate with a nice car instead if you need one, it’s only 1 detail of many.

[richbeery]

Haha! Love your words of wisdom 007

Maybe the old van is trying to tell me something as well?

Great photo, that’s really handy thanks. Picture paints a thousand words. Will see how things develop this week.

At least I can’t get blamed if someone else’s car break down!

Much appreciated,

Rich