Anyway. I'm home and I've had another look at it. Coolant has definitely gone down. Not so evident in the radiator itself but there's nothing left in the overflow that I refilled a month ago.
And the smell.... well I wouldn't really know how to describe it. Not overly strong smelling. Kind of bitter.
Anyway. I'm home and I've had another look at it. Coolant has definitely gone down. Not so evident in the radiator itself but there's nothing left in the overflow that I refilled a month ago.
And the smell.... well I wouldn't really know how to describe it. Not overly strong smelling. Kind of bitter.
Please top up BOTH the overflow tank and the radiator with coolant!
another way to check if the head/block is blown by simply:
fill up the radiator and reservoir with water, whilst leaving the radiator cap off - start the engine and let it warm up - dont rev it .. - top up the radiator with water if needed.
now once the engine is warm check the radiator and check the water - look for the following CAREFULLY:
- Any bubbles following up
- any rust residue
- any signs of oil / froth which is at the top of the water
now if any of the 2 of 3 above shows or is visible, then your head gasket is blown and possibly even a damaged head/block.
Now the reason of the white smoke is because water is mixing with the oil, which is therefore being burnt and flowing through the exhaust.
you may also notice that your temp gauge may rise higher than usual.
you dont need to find oil in ur water to have a blown gasket champ. It def sounds like a head gasket. nice
expensive to fix thou and its not as simple as removing the head and puttin in another gasket. uve got the send the head out to get cleaned and reco'd (replace any valves that may have gotten burnt or damage in any way/shape or form)
reason for white smoke isnt because oil is mixing with water... coolant is an oil.. and thats the colour it burns. rust residue??? highly unlikely.. ive got rust in my water.. no dead gaskets here buddy... just an old engine.. bubbles yes, u may see some.. but it may well be normal bubbles.. take it to the mechs and get it tested.. its very easy to test...
At my work, we use a lil liquid that changes colour when its mixed with co2. goes where ur rad cap usually is.. and it sucks the air outta the rad.. if its leakin.. then it will change
In most head gasket jobs.. the car runs hotter... but sometimes when its just coolant leakin and its minimal.. it wont
Just for reference. The smoke was brake fluid being burnt. The master cylinder was leaking badly into the booster and was getting sucked in through there. Hopefully this helps someone else.
Haha that came up in mind when you said it smelt bitter. Iv seen it happen before. An internet diagnosis can only go so far lol lucky you didnt do a head gasket.
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Originally Posted by Eclipsor
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