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Is this a head gasket or a radiator fault?
OK this is a bit of a story...
Nearly a year ago I took my car (a 1994 Rover 214) in to have an electrical fault repaired, and when I went to pick it up the guy showed me the coolant tank was full of oil - well it certainly wasn't when I brought it in, I check that tank regularly! So I cleaned and flushed the tank and hoses, but since then the tank has never been quite free of oil, there's always a bit in it - I cleaned and flushed the whole thing again about a month ago and I think it's been basically clean since, so I figure the guy did pour oil in the tank to get a head gasket job - but can't really be sure. Not the point anyway......
My radiator fins are also pretty rusty and crumbly, but the temperature meter on the car has always been fine so I haven't done anything about it. I check the oil regularly, and I'm as sure as I can be that there's no water getting in there.
Today I check the coolant tank and there appears to be almost nothing in there....
...(it was full about 10 days ago) couldn't tell if this had leaked on to the road because the road was already soaked with rain. The oil level in the tank is not raised, so it's not in there.
SO is my radiator knackered, or is the head gasket?! Anyone have a clue what's going on here?!
Keep in mind this is a Rover, famous for head gasket failure - maybe that's made me paranoid. If the fins on the radiator are going, are the tubes probably in the same condition and leaking water?
Ta guys :-) Pretty sure the guy tipped oil in - there was a huge amount in there plus it was splashed on the outside of the tank, which was a bit of a giveaway! I wished I'd yelled YOU DID THAT YA B*STARD at the time, but didn't - and without proof what can you do! Just concerned about getting my baby well now.
Thanks Bob, nice suggestions - have already had a new water pump about 2 years ago, got that with a new clutch!
5 Answers
- bobLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
sounds like a faulty rad try using rad seal if problem persists might need a re'placement what also can do is get gasket seal and just go over original gasket to make double sure it ok
to get a new head gasket will cost in region of £ 40 upwards i know just had to get one
keep eye on water pump also as they have a problem on rovers
Source(s): rover 416 si auto owner - loonatic72Lv 61 decade ago
Rovers are bad for that but I think he was trying to take you for a ride. If you had you in you water or water in you oil it looks just like baby poo. And if you just a a few spot rolling around in the water it was set up.
- 1 decade ago
well, it may have a pinhole leak and the guy was checking with oil to c if it was a leak (it would b hard to tell if it is leaking if the floor is saturated with coolant so black stands out aginst green) so don't know what to tell u try replacing everything on ( radiator, anything that is startin to go bad )
- 1 decade ago
check your oil, if there is no water in it then you or OK, oil is not clear or grey could mean problems, just check it often and you will be alright
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Chalice......You are the best.
the guy had put oil in the radiator. 100%.
I hope You never went back to that shop.
