Possible head gasket failure (already) or not?

[clarkey1984]

Hi all, I thought I'd check the levels in the t4 as I do every week to 10 days, and I am greeted with this emulsified crap in the header tank, there's no two ways about it, it's definitely oil, however, the oil is still golden and clean (although needed topping up) so the mixture of oil and coolant hasn't happened in both directions so to speak.

The car is running completely normally, with no obvious signs of anything wrong, although I'm not sure there would be any obvious tell tales when driving it, no overheating or anything like that.

Worst case scenario is that it needs a head gasket, although the engine had only done 90k or so when i got it, and I'd seen it with the head and cams out, and the brand new OE replacement gasket set there with the engine before I went to collect it, I've barely done 6000 miles since the engine was fitted to the car, so I'd be surprised if it is HGF.

This leads me on to a question about oil coolers, namely, do these have one, as I know on the old Vectra V6 I once owned, that mixed the 2 like this and it was a split line in the cooler that was the cause, so I'm hoping it may be something similar, as I really don't want to have it back in the garage again, not when I spent over 1500 quid on the car from march to June on a payment plan.

Many thanks in advance

[bimmer49]

Looks like summat you put on a french salad Clarkey!
Yeah there is a cooler, looks like a sardine can low down on the engine, Oil/Water mixing device! Common failure but a bugger to get clean again. Specialist cleaning solutions available.

[clarkey1984]

That's a relief, as i say i saw the engine in pieces before it was built back up, so i know it had all the necessaries done properly, that'll be a decent starting point then for sure, i don't suppose there's any way of bypassing the cooler to make sure it's definitely what the cause is is there, because if it could be disconnected and then flushed, i can then be as sure as i can be before sending it for the work to be done, my left hand is currently in a splint, and will be for 6 more weeks, as i managed to blow a hole in my thumb a month or so ago with a water jetting gun while working in spain, which mutilated my thumb tendons pretty badly, so i can't really do anything myself unless its one handed, its so SO frustrating.

[bimmer49]

I cant speak for your particliar engine Clarkey but if there is water in/out pipes then it can be bypassed. Cooler only helps when motor pushed hard.
PS: Cap off the unused cooler out/in lets otherwise you'll get oil dribbling out if that is the issue.
Pfft: Spain, dangerous place!

[clarkey1984]

All sorted, well, I have a new cooler ready to fit that came in this morning, the local motor parts direct always look after me, manufacturers retail price was around 90 quid, I got it for just over 57 including VAT, and while it appears to be a metal to metal sealing face (there's no gasket with it) I am taking no chances, so grabbed a tube of the red rtv high temp instant stuff just to be sure, this afternoon's challenge will be to attempt to fit it with one hand, as my left one is still a bit damaged and in a splint, and of course, I would be left handed wouldn't I

I've also got a litre of neat truck wash / tfr which should see me right for degreasing the system, we use it at work for stuff that comes in covered in crude from offshore, so it shouldn't have any trouble moving some 5w40.

[clarkey1984]

All done, luckily it's in a really simple place just behind the shield in the drivers wheel well, old one off and new one on without a hitch, I flushed it once and it was immediately creamy again, so did two more flushes with hot water, refilling, waiting for the thermostat to open, engine off and then radiator bung out and now there are just a few tiny spots floating on the top, let us pray that this has definitely fixed it, driving around in the coming days should give me my answer either way, I also changed the oil as well as I planned on doing it after 6k, and I'm at 5500 now so thought why not.

[Dippydog]

Don't be too disappointed if it seems to return as it can take a good few flushes to clean it all sometimes.Laundry liquid or laundry tabs are good for cleaning it out.

[clarkey1984]

Yeah it can definitely be stubborn, I remember years ago using something like brick acid mixed with water to flush a nova I think I was, the things we do eh.

I do have a slight query though, as I do definitely remember that the cooler on this engine was definitely bolted to the rear of the engine before it went in the car, in the same location as this photo I found of a b4204t5 online, I remember being worried about catching it as my and my father in law manhandled the engine into the boot, yet now it's in the car I've found it on the side, it was the right one as it fitted, please say there aren't two of them.

[Dippydog]

Can't speak for these engines,the only experience I have of oil cooler failure is on my Omega V6 but I'd say if the one you bought fitted I shouldn't worry about it.

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by clarkey1984

Yeah it can definitely be stubborn, I remember years ago using something like brick acid mixed with water to flush a nova I think I was, the things we do eh.

I do have a slight query though, as I do definitely remember that the cooler on this engine was definitely bolted to the rear of the engine before it went in the car, in the same location as this photo I found of a b4204t5 online, I remember being worried about catching it as my and my father in law manhandled the engine into the boot, yet now it's in the car I've found it on the side, it was the right one as it fitted, please say there aren't two of them.

My '97 2.0 lt n/a had the cooler on the back of the sump next to the drain plug. My '01 2.0 lt n/a has the cooler under the crank pulley. It cannot be fitted in any other position.