K Series engine advice.
Discussion
keechy said:
Just noticed a small amount of a white substance in the 90 degree rubber bend that goes from the top of the tower to the oil catchment tank, i have a r500 on a 2000 plate with 10k on the clock. Anybody know if this is something i should worry about?
is it like mayonnaise? it could be condensate from the oil (pale brown), but it could also be water in your oil, which suggests a head gasket issue. Have you got any oily film, etc in your expansion tank?It might simply be condensation collecting in the pipe especially if your catch tank vents to the atmosphere. There are a number of ways to check if head gasket is on its way out:
1. Compression test on the cylinders
2. Open your coolant header tank and look for oil. If the bottle smells of petrol you may have gas travelling over the firing ring on the head gasket. Does the tank occassionally release pressure from the cap - you will see white spots on the engine? This is evedence of gas over the firing ring.
3. Is it struggling to start? Poor starting may be evidence of uneven compression or water condensing on the plug.
4. Have a look at each spark to see if it is different in colour. Remember to torque them up to 18 lbs afterwards (on cold engine)
5. Check for water residue on the oil caps for the engine and the bell tower.
I am sure there are plenty of other ways that I haven't mention too!
All of the above may still not be conclusive. If it starts to get lumpy to drive, stop immediately as you don't want water in a cylinder.
1. Compression test on the cylinders
2. Open your coolant header tank and look for oil. If the bottle smells of petrol you may have gas travelling over the firing ring on the head gasket. Does the tank occassionally release pressure from the cap - you will see white spots on the engine? This is evedence of gas over the firing ring.
3. Is it struggling to start? Poor starting may be evidence of uneven compression or water condensing on the plug.
4. Have a look at each spark to see if it is different in colour. Remember to torque them up to 18 lbs afterwards (on cold engine)
5. Check for water residue on the oil caps for the engine and the bell tower.
I am sure there are plenty of other ways that I haven't mention too!
All of the above may still not be conclusive. If it starts to get lumpy to drive, stop immediately as you don't want water in a cylinder.
Many thanks for the suggestions chaps, been out and carried out the tests I am capable of, the water in my header tank is coloured but I believe that is antifreeze, and there is no smell of fuel. The car starts like a dream so no problems there, and the catch tank does vent to open air via a rubber hose which runs downwards and terminates 4-5 inches off the floor. My garage floor is tiled and soaking wet due to condensation so hopefully this is the problem.
keechy said:
Many thanks for the suggestions chaps, been out and carried out the tests I am capable of, the water in my header tank is coloured but I believe that is antifreeze, and there is no smell of fuel. The car starts like a dream so no problems there, and the catch tank does vent to open air via a rubber hose which runs downwards and terminates 4-5 inches off the floor. My garage floor is tiled and soaking wet due to condensation so hopefully this is the problem.
Good news!Just for a peace of mind for any K owner, a bit of advise I got years ago is still true I believe.
If you suspect cooling/HG issues, when the car is cold, open the expansion tank, take a section of kitchen roll (rolled up tight like a splif (or so the term was?)) and dip into the tank.
If the colour of the fluid from a 2CM "dip" in the coolant tank != colour of the coolant out of the bottle, you might have an issue. Especially if brown...
FYI
If you suspect cooling/HG issues, when the car is cold, open the expansion tank, take a section of kitchen roll (rolled up tight like a splif (or so the term was?)) and dip into the tank.
If the colour of the fluid from a 2CM "dip" in the coolant tank != colour of the coolant out of the bottle, you might have an issue. Especially if brown...
FYI
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