Head Gasket issue

[Keitai]

Just got my cambelt and water pump changed. They said it was perishing so dunno when it would've snapped. 124,000 miles and 11 years old.

They said there was a bit of oil in the header tank I think thats what they said or could have meant somewhere else and recommended steel seal and maybe a new header tank too. Said I could do it myself but I haven't got the confidence as engine must be cold and unused for 24hrs so might ask mechanics to do it. Head gasket might be leaking a bit.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Steel seal isn't an answer.

First find out if the head gasket is failing or not.

 

[Keitai]

Steel seal isn't an answer.

First find out if the head gasket is failing or not.

Previous mechanic did head gasket test and result was inconclusive.

 

[jj4091]

Used it once. Caused more damage than it cured by blocking radiator and hoses. Never again. In the long run you might as well just change the head gasket and have the head skimmed if necasary.

 

[Mottie]

I can’t see how adding something to the coolant will prevent oil from getting into the cooling system.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Have used one or two "wonder sealants" over the years - never for a head gasket though. None of them have ever worked, except with the possible exception of Radweld. I would put the £50 cost of this sealant towards a new gasket, etc.

 

[Keitai]

Spoke on phone to mechanic he disagreed with previous mechanic who said my dark liquid in header tank was stop leak added by someone and said it was oilly when he put his finger in there. Him or his work mate said add the steel seal stuff.

Other possibility is someone put oil in there by mistake.

I'm gonna drive over and see him in two weeks for them to have another look and get their opinion on whether to add something or do what I heard vans can run for years with slight head gasket issues.

Photos of expansion tank

 

[Keitai]

Used it once. Caused more damage than it cured by blocking radiator and hoses. Never again. In the long run you might as well just change the head gasket and have the head skimmed if necasary.

How much that gonna cost? I guess no immediate need to do anything

 

[Burnerman]

Looking at the shiite in the header tank.......
Is this a result after you had the water pump changed? It looks as rusty as hell!
I'd consider replacing the coolant with water for now, clean the header tank and see what happens.
No need to panic, the head gasket is replaceable on these (some aren't) but it would be best to have the head skimmed at the same time.
Believe me, any oil in there will be seriously black.
This will cost you, so canny how you go and don't jump in just yet!
John

 

[ReganAndCarter]

If it was mine, I'd be draining the coolant and filling with water for now as it won't freeze this time of year. Maybe a quick flush then refill with water. Then do the combustion leak detector test in the filler neck of header for peace of mind. If the test is negative, put some rad flush in the system, leave for a while, flush out then refill with antifreeze. If test is positive, then new gasket time.

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[Mottie]

Our kids had a Peugeot 106 diesel for years that was always producing a small amount of oil in the header tank. Got it off a friend of ours who was a driving instructor and he'd used it for lessons for years. Then our son had it after passing his test, then our daughter, then our daughter’s boyfriend. I must have looked after that car for the best part of 8 years. Every now and then, I’d take the header tank off, wash it out with fairy liquid and refit it. If it was my car, I’d do the same with this one and worry about it if it started using water or overheating.

 

[Keitai]

Looking at the shiite in the header tank.......
Is this a result after you had the water pump changed? It looks as rusty as hell!
I'd consider replacing the coolant with water for now, clean the header tank and see what happens.
No need to panic, the head gasket is replaceable on these (some aren't) but it would be best to have the head skimmed at the same time.
Believe me, any oil in there will be seriously black.
This will cost you, so canny how you go and don't jump in just yet!
John

Yes, after the water pump was changed. You think just change the header tank. The last mechanic suggested doing that and adding that steel seal stuff. Think they drained all the water when they changed the water pump

How do you know the head gaskets on my particular van can be changed?

 

[Burnerman]

It’s a Peugeot diesel, isn’t it?
These head gaskets can be renewed, and what I meant was that some engines can’t take a skim but that isn’t relevant in your case.
Flush out the rubbish coolant that is in the system first before delving deeper. Keep an accurate eye out on the oil level to see if anything changes there.
John

 

[Keitai]

It’s a Peugeot diesel, isn’t it?
These head gaskets can be renewed, and what I meant was that some engines can’t take a skim but that isn’t relevant in your case.
Flush out the rubbish coolant that is in the system first before delving deeper. Keep an accurate eye out on the oil level to see if anything changes there.
John

Peugeot expert 2013 2.0litre diesel yes

How do I clean header tank and change the water? I've no idea

 

[Burnerman]

Undo the clip holding the bottom hose onto the radiator and gently pull the hose clear.
Have the expansion bottle cap off and the heater control on hot.
Let the water run out, flush through the expansion bottle with a hose until the water seems clean enough.
Reconnect the bottom hose, fill the system up and run the engine with the bottle cap off for a while until the air is purged. There may be a tyre type valve cap somewhere for bleeding so slacken that.
Check the heater works!
This won’t flush everything out but it will do for now.
John