Club 80-90 Forums

just got my first project,
i'm a little concerned about the water & jelly all over me dip stick!

hopefuly the water is just condensation, the bus (1.6, except maybe with
slight modification as it flew more than i expected!) has been sat
for 5years, but the jelly?

first thread that came up on my search pointed to the head gasket,.
it also has slight oil splatter up the tailgate like my friends had when
it blew up!

i think he's been putting petrol oil in it ,

do you think a few oil changes & a general service will help her out or is it
really likely to be a gasket?

Kate

If it's been standing for 5 years, does it still have the old oil in it? If so, definitely time for an oil & filter change. God knows what condition it's in & what's living in it!!!

If it's head gasket, look for oil in the expansion tank (not to be confused with the top up tank behind the number plate!) This can also be due to an old pourous oil cooler, so don't panic just yet.

Also look for bubbling when running. Does the water smell like exhaust fumes when running? Check the underside of the oil filler cap, does it have yellowy mayonaise on it? Again, this can be due to condensation. Are you losing water?

Also change that damn cambelt before you do anything else, they don't like standing around & Gates (one of the biggest suppliers of cambelts to the industry say change them every 6 years irelevant of mileage). If it's going to snap it'll most likely be on start up as it's under most strain, so don't risk it! Not expensive and not that difficult to do if you're half half handy with a spanner.

thanks, didna mention it was a diesel did i!?

the guy i bought it off said the oil level was fine before i set off,..
surely it was already jelly like & he was hiding it from me,
i only went 30miles very gently..
it's not even very smokey, a little bit,. blueie whitey clear,. but
it's been sat so i expected more smoke!

it drove fine apart from i found it hard to find 1st & 2nd but it's the
1st time i've driven a diesel, the oil light flickered a few times but
went off as i backed off the accelorator,

it's only 94000 & i don't think it's been round the clock,

i think i'll do the servicey bits as you suggest & see how she goes,
fingers crossed for the poor old girl, reckon i'll be learning a lot more
about diesel engines

thanks

Kate

i only went 30miles very gently

as it flew more than i expected!

Hacksawbob wrote:

i only went 30miles very gently

as it flew more than i expected!

+-

Nah, the only way a 1.6 will fly is cos the shocks are shot..
mike

it did fly more than i thought,. down the road until the oil light flickered,
then it was nice & slow for the poor old thing,

i think everything was shot!!

but it's a project,

Kate

Has it ever been run on veg oil?
Heard a report of an American with some big diesel with jelly like oil. Turns out the veg blew past the sloppy rings since, veg oil and mineral oil don't mix it turned to goop.

I'd probably take the sump off and have a look/clean it thoroughly just to be on the safe side, otherwise you could put new oil in, heat it up & end up with this jelly or anything else running around in your oil again!

It's not a trick job, just a bit messy! You can have a look at the state of the bottom end and get rid of any sump leaks whilst you're there!

hmm, well the oil that came out, although thick & black wasn't
that bad, the jelly is mainly on me dip stick.
it could've been run on anything & im pretty sure he's mixed
diesel & petrol oil!

i'll have a hunt around for gaskets ect, don't find gsf too t25 friendly?
before i think about taking the sump off, it would be interesting to
have a look though

thanks
k8

Therunner wrote: it drove fine apart from i found it hard to find 1st & 2nd but it's the
1st time i've driven a diesel,

Hard 1st & 2nd is the gear lever bushes, nothing to do with the diesel as my 1.9DG is a pig for gears too! I know what needs doing, it's just finding the time...

thanks for that, something else to look into
luckily when i brought her home i had a fellow 25 friend follow
me, & at every junction she'd sit behind me with her hazards on
( mine weren't working ) while i wrestled with the gears,
i was surpised no one swore or beeped at me

hello stranger!

i think that you've done enough for us thankyou

i'll have a look but i'll have to wait for my oil change bits to arrive first.

but you're welcome to come & see my lovely rusty purple baby!