K-Series C.H.Gasket Failures Oil in Coolant; Coolant in Oil.

[MGJohn]

Signs to look for.

K-Series C.H.Gasket Failures:~ Oil in Coolant; Coolant in Oil. Can be one only or both.

Here's evidence of a bad case of Oil in Coolant :~





Here's evidence of the reverse, Coolant in Oil. Usually there are first signs of emulsified oil-coolant mix on the dipstick. Draining oil shows the distinct Buffish colour from the mix ~







The above are pretty obvious signs, there are many less obvious degrees of indications that the cylinder head gasket is damaged. some far more subtle. Despite the widespread myths within the UK car consumer mindset, these things rarely actually fail. They are usually first damaged by some other agency and then, being damaged are no longer able to do the job they're designed for. That damaging agency being engine overheating following coolant loss. Coolant loss can occur from numerous locations from a worn Water Pump, leaky radiator of split coolant hose etc.

[na]

Hi John, well done

I see what you're doing here and I've tried doing similar elsewhere, problem is with Search(ing) in the text (or title) you need to cover all the alternative terms/words, e.g. HGF / head gasket failure / etc. / K-series / K series / etc. / MG F / MGF / etc.

I even couldn't find a thread I'd done elsewhere because I'd used sentence case and the quite crude Search there meant that the capital letters had to match to get the correct thread only

anyway

[MGJohn]

Thanks na.

I've posted this on a few sites and it's already flushed out someone who suggested I admit it's a massive problem. Not in my experience based on the best evidence I can find, that of my own eyes. I suggested he's a tad brainwashed.

In previous posts he indicated he's some kind of IT type and I strongly suspect from his various postings he's one of the many cars users who have a strong phobia about opening their car's bonnet.... ever.

Again in my experience, there are far more unreliable car users than unreliable cars. As a glance down a few pages of these PH threads appear to confirm time and again not to mention MoT data and AA/RAC call out stats :~

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[na]

yeap I often put, and have so twice today, something like that many/most faults on cars are due to previous and present owners (especially with 'cheap' classics like Spridgets/Bs/Spitfire/ect. and those that get rarely used

you used to never here of problems with the likes of BMW, Mercs, Audi, VW (to name just a few from those brilliant engineers the Germans)

I'd imagine those that used to buy an expensive BMW or Merc didn't want to admitt to paying so much for a car with problems plus they want to keep the value up so they can sell it and get something more reliable or better finished - yet these same people are quick to comment on the flaws of 'lesser' cars

keep stressing the main problem - nut behind the wheel