8 replies to this topic

[binge]

Right, Since I got my car, ive noticed that the water and oil need topping up often.

I have to top the water up on a weekley basis. and the oil needs toping up every 2 -3 weeks.


Any ideas on this. ok, it might be burning oil. But surely the water shouldnt go down so quick?


<|Ben|>

[Guess-Works.com]

unless there's a leak...

Get the coolant system pressure tested

[minimole]

i am going out on a limb here but could it be the headgasket? of course i may be completly wrong

[MrMini]

i am going out on a limb here but could it be the headgasket? of course i may be completly wrong 

I thought the same thing at first but surely the oil would go up, (and be watery), rather than go down? Unless it was thinning and leaking more easily?

Is there any white creamieness (sp?) inside the rocker cover?

[binge]

I shall have to take a look tonight but.

The car drips oil, But VERY slowley. Like one drip a day!
Its MEGA slow....


i thaught it may be the head gasket too, but then I realised that the oil would also go up.

Aaargh, its well annoying!

[Purple Tom]

I shall have to take a look tonight but.

The car drips oil, But VERY slowley. Like one drip a day!
Its MEGA slow....


i thaught it may be the head gasket too, but then I realised that the oil would also go up.

Aaargh, its well annoying! 

the water doesn't have to go into the oil. That would only occur if the headgasket has gone between an oilway and waterway. It could be that its gone between a waterway and a cylinder. This would cause a loss in water, and possibly also cause the car to 'smoke' (actually steam) when driving (but it wouldn't be a lot).

Or it could be that the radiator is slightly leaking, or a hose is going porous, or the heater matrix is leaking into the carpet? Oil leaks are normal (its a mini!), but it could also be burning a bit of oil too as you suggest.

(plus, if it had gone between a waterway and cylinder, you woulnd't experience any noticeable power loss either. But you can find out if its this, run the car for a little while, switch it off before its gets warm. Open the radiator cap, and if there's a lot of pressure in there then it points to a blow between waterway and cylinder, as the compression in the cylinder will be pressurizing the cooling system).

[The Roadie]

How much does it use in 2-3 weeks?
I normally top up mine about 1/2 to 1/4 of a litre about every time I check it which on average is about every 6weeks or definately before a long trip.
Check your coolant system for leaks. Common fault is that the rads normally rot out at the base of the core in the middle, can drip for weeks then blow.
Mine failed in spectacular style in my college's carpark. Got out as it was running a bit warm to find coolant being fired through the grill by the engine driven fan! Eventually it dropped its coolant all over the floor.
It stained a carparking space at college too!

[binge]

How much does it use in 2-3 weeks?

LOL!

It would be dry!



<|ben|>

[The Roadie]

Shows that I've not been on here for ages, but I thought you had a mid nineties auto?
hmm, you say there are no obvious leaks?