I'm keeping an eye on the coolant to see if any oils in there

But I havent seen the usual "white mist" on the filler cap for head gasket failure.

Its being serviced soon so my mechanic should be able to examine it.

Just be warned that for the same price as you used to buy 5 litres for, you'll now only get 4 :(

Oh yes, it's not just petrol that goes up :(

Castrol GTX espec the Magnatec only came in 4L

I can get 5l AC Delco 10w/4p for £12 at one of my local auto shops

my filler cap has that scum on it too,

I agree, its from doing short trips with no time to heat the motor up.

check the expansionb tank for the coolant if its a murky brown then the head gasket is gone.

Im no car mechanic, but changing the head gasket isnt hard!

Im no car mechanic, but changing the head gasket isnt hard!

I've managed to get the head off a 1.3, not put it back on I admit (to keep as a spare), and I'm no mechanic either. Most difficult parts were getting the exhaust down pipe to manifold bolts off, and the head bolts themselves but a wheel brace + 10mm hex bit and lots of effort helped on the head bolts. I'd definitely give it a go myself if mine ever goes as the gasket itself is only about a tenner I'd rather struggle myself than pay a garage over £100

I think my car was in the early stages of head gasket failure ... a few months ago, because there were brown blobs of oil in my coolant expansion/header tank.

After coming close to replacing the head gasket I tried this stuff first: Kalimex Ltd - QuikSteel, QuikTape, SealUp, ThermoSteel

Was really worried it would clog up the heater matrix or ruin everything ... but it hasnt so far (3 months and counting ... 400 miles a week)

And most importantly its stoped the oil getting into the water ... and no more white stuff under the oil filler cap. I think it must have pluged a pin hole in the head gasket or something ... hopefully the bodge will last.

You can leave it in so any further holes anywhere in the cooling system will be repaired without you knowing.

I was topping up coolant half a litre (about a pint) every 2 weeks, so not that major.

That stuff seems to have a lot of good reviews. But only seems to be good for small leaks.

Also there is some kind of lifetime guarantee on any repairs it makes + they recomend that you add it at every coolant change, so it cant be that bad for the engine.

I think the guarantee can be taked with a pinch of salt, but all i would say is give it a try: only £8 from fleabay.

planning on driving across europe next summer and I think a bottle of this in the boot is a MUST (ive read the AA & RAC use it to get people home with blown Head gaskets)

I was topping up coolant half a litre (about a pint) every 2 weeks, so not that major.

That stuff seems to have a lot of good reviews. But only seems to be good for small leaks.

Also there is some kind of lifetime guarantee on any repairs it makes + they recomend that you add it at every coolant change, so it cant be that bad for the engine.

I think the guarantee can be taked with a pinch of salt, but all i would say is give it a try: only £8 from fleabay.

planning on driving across europe next summer and I think a bottle of this in the boot is a MUST (ive read the AA & RAC use it to get people home with blown Head gaskets)

To be honest, if you're planning on driving across Europe with a suspect head gasket, I'd recommend changing it before you went than rely on a bottle of goo to get you through...

This is a good point! :think:... but its cold outside, maby when the weather warms up ill just get on and do it.

Its not mayonnaising now

and the water doesn't feel oily.

It might be just when the engines been on for short periods.

Just been serviced.

Using AC Delco 10w40 semi synth oil (£11 for 5l)

The Magnatec 15w40 is out so will see if the grade makes a difference.

Mileage - 99900

Heh. Old skool tech oil for old skool engines...

never more than £10 on oil for Woodie- gets changed every 5k anyway, and a weekly check-so issues dont go unnoticed for long.