Hi all, I have the Skoda Octavia 2.0L petrol. It has 86k on the clock. Recently noted a drop in oil and coolant. Filled it all back up as should be. Also however noticed mayo under the filler cap. I cleaned it up however it has re appeared. The oil and coolant seems to have remained the same since topping up.

The mayo and loss of coolant seem to make me think I need a head gasket replacement. What does this sound like to you guys? Appears no oil in coolant. Not sure what tests to do. Also as car is 2000 plate not sure if its worth getting the gasket done. Not sure of the costs etc. Any and all help would be great.

If its not losing much coolant and the oil level isnt getting higher then theres a chance its just condensation from short journeys

If I was you I would get a coolant pressure tester and leave it under pressure over night and start her up in the morning and check for loads of white smoke from exhaust

Or if you no someone with a cylinder leak tester to sniff the coolant in the bottle that will give you a yes or no answer!?

As for mayo on the filler cap as above do you do short trips not letting the car get to temp as this can cause condensation which causes the "Mayo" effect

Hope this helps?

As above, it's probably just condensation, however oil and water mixed is not necessarily a sign of a head gasket failure on these engines, I've seen it misdiagnosed a few times which was quite costly.

I am very much a novice at anything car related so tend to get a garage to look at things. I travel to work daily, each way is 8 miles national speed limit. 10 minute drive at 60 mph so think it gets warm. For a car worth £1k I want to ensure I don't get done over by a garage if not needed. I would however like to keep the car if cost effective. I appreciate the advice and will google your suggestions.

Sorry I forgot to add that bit, the oil and water mixing thing, somtimes the core of the oil cooler splits which allows the water to mix with the oil and it gets misdiagnosed as a head gasket fail...

Anyway in your case, keep an eye on it, it's most likely condensation, these engines don't normally do head gasket failures.

My main concern was it having lost nearly all coolant and was low on oil on that one occasion. I admit to not having checked the car for a few months plus and was surprised to find everything very low.

My main concern was it having lost nearly all coolant and was low on oil on that one occasion. I admit to not having checked the car for a few months plus and was surprised to find everything very low.

I no it's a pain checking levels etc but once a week or every 2 weeks you should check oil and coolant if your losing it over the 2weeks then I'd say there is a problem but only if the loose is a large amount like min to max on coolant and oil side of things

But this can save many ££££ in garage bills

Those engines do burn a bit of oil.. My fabia that had the same engine albeit with a very high mileage would drink a litre of oil every week till I changed the piston rings.

if the coolant is very low there's likely to be a leak.

If the head gasket was gone you would more than likely know about it! All sort of crazy misfires and drive ability issues.

I have been checking it the past the month. No change in coolant level. Also topped up with oil, no major loss noted at present.

There is an occasional plume of white smoke when starting on a morning but I have never worried about this as it does not seem excessive.

I will do as suggested and monitor. I am interested in trying a pressure tester as I need to learn more about engines and how to do things myself with the help of forums and youtube type sights.

My main worry was overheating and a warped head which then would be to costly for me. Thanks again all.

After a good drive is the upper radiator hose hard?,is the coolant sistem overpressurized?

I will check to see if the radiator hose is hard, not sure how hard or soft it should be. Also not sure how to see if the water system is over pressurised?? All and any help would be great. My local garage say £600 for head gasket replacement so not wanting to do that if not needed. Thanks for continued help.

Normally you should be able to squeeze the radiator hoses between your finger and thumb to the point where it is completely flat.

that's right if they are hard like a bicycle tyre then combustion passes through head gasket into cooling chamber.

Take the car to a sporty drive and then check the hoses