Uh oh... possible head gasket problem :-(

[Amy]

Just checking TTD over for his jaunt to the NEC this weekend and, on going to fill the oil, found rather a lot of milky oily stuff in the oil filler channel

Water seems ok though a touch lower than usual. I've dug out the compression tester so (assuming he starts) will try and see where the problem may be.



Amy.

[Amy]

Sadly no need to check compression. Three of the spark plugs are dripping with oil.

I have said quite a few rude words.

Good news is I still have good oil pressure and most of tge water is still in the rad. The bad news is that he is meant to be a star attraction in two days' time

[Amy]

Well. Compression on all 4. About 150 psi on each.

Hmm.

[Srenner]

Hello Amy!

Someone has likely told you all this, but...

See if you can borrow a pressure tester for the radiator. This way you can see if the cooling system is leaking down.

I wouldn't worry too much about the oily plugs, could be a result of just sitting. The oil around the piston tends to slide to the bottom of the piston and can run past the rings into the combustion chamber. It pools in front (on top?) of the piston and takes a bit to burn off.

150psi sounds fine, unless it was a lot higher the last time! If they are all within 10% of one another,it should not be an issue.

Milk in the breather is okay if it has been humid and the car has been sitting. If there was no sign of milk on the dipstick, things are likely okay. Before churning the oil in the pan again, let it sit and then look for little water dots on your dipstick. Or, drain the oil to see if water has collected.

Your spark plug condition can also help. Do all four look the same. or is one different in appearance/color?

Good luck and have fun.
Scott

[Amy]

Hey Scott

We're putting it down to condensation for now. I'll see if I can borrow a pressure tester tomorrow eve and give it a shot. The rest of the oil looks really clean though so fingers crossed...

I will stop swearing at my car now and be nice to him again

Amy.

[Forumadmin]

The car was going fine three weeks ago. Just drive it to the show. As Scott says the condensation is because your car never gets hot unless the fan stops.

[Jack]

My money was on condensation too - bit of white smoke once up to temperature, cleared up after about 10 seconds. Cleaned up the cap and filler neck, no new gunk in there since cleaning. Doesn't seem to be losing water.

No sign of emulsified oil in the valve covers or on the dipstick.

Panic over, probably. Worst case I have RAC cover, so we can get it to the show.

Jack.

[jowettgeoff]

Amy,

I've found over the years that a good strategy is to ignore such problems, and they'll go away. Our Jowetts sometimes use these psychological scares to put the wind up us. It's best not to pander to their petulance. As you ladies know - it's necessary to establish who is the boss here.

Geoff.

[Greg Jackson]

Old Fords did it all the time ,not a problem

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

Rover went to the trouble of lagging the oil filler on the Maestro engine just to stop it white sludge gathering there.

[Alf Heseltine]

I have done just that Paul, seems to help especially in the cold.

Alf.

[paul wilks]

Alf.

Do you mean you've done that with your Javelin? I've fitted a piece of clear plastic behind the grill and in front of the filler tube. It's hidden (hopefully!) behind my JCC car badge.

Paul