7 replies to this topic

[Stella87]

Hi all,

Just took the mini for a drive and the radio has started turning itself off when I coast and brake (not too bothered about that at the moment but if you know how to sort it that would be a bonus!), so I looked under the bonnet to look at the alternator and I noticed white smoke or steam coming from the oil filler cap. What could be causing this? The temperature guage was showing cold (but it always shows cold so that could point to something or just a broken guage) so it could have been overheating a bit...I also found a bit of mayo in the cap when I put some oil in the other day so at the moment I would assume its a head gasket? Although the rad hasnt lost water.. :/

Thanks for any help in advance

[Algordo1100]

Head gasket sounds a strong possibility to me i'm affraid ;-(
Do you know anyone who can do you a compression test?

Al

[sonikk4]

How many miles a day do you drive?? if its short journeys then your car may not heat up properly hence the mayo in the oil cap. I have had a similar issue with my clubby as he only get's started up to move him out of the workshop. The rocker box was full of mayo and quite a lot of build up over the rocker gear.

No loss in power, no loss of water or water in the oil.

[ACDodd]

Have a manometer test completed, any more than 2 inches at with the filler cap removed at 6krpm and engine rebuild is on the cards.

AC

[Vipernoir]

Where do you hook a manometer up to ?
One of the breathers ?

[Stella87]

How many miles a day do you drive?? if its short journeys then your car may not heat up properly hence the mayo in the oil cap. I have had a similar issue with my clubby as he only get's started up to move him out of the workshop. The rocker box was full of mayo and quite a lot of build up over the rocker gear.

No loss in power, no loss of water or water in the oil.

It does around 10 miles a day (5 miles to and from school) so yeah, only short journeys..That could explain the mayo but not the steam?

[sonikk4]

Can i suggest you clean out all of the mayo from the rocker box and any breather pipes. Then take it for a run so the car reaches operating temperature.

Do keep an eye on the temp gauge and for any poor / rough running. Once done then have another look for steam.

I know AC has said use a manometer etc but bare with me here. My engine is in good running order, low mileage (33,000) did not burn oil or use water. Its only as i mentioned that i only move Paddy around and out of the workshop where my Mayo issues have occurred. I seriously hope that once he is MOT'd very shortly and back to regular use the mayo will go.
I should add i have done a compression test and all four readings are over 160 psi and well within 10% of each other.

Hopefully i will not be proved wrong here as i really do not need a rebuild to add to everything else i have been doing to him.

[KernowCooper]

I would remove the wire off the temp sender in the front of the clyinder head beside the No 1 Cylinder short this connector to earth and see inside the car if the temp gauge goes full deflection, if so the temp sender is faulty and fit a new one, if its stil stays on cold either the wiring or gauge is faulty,
Getting the gauge working will give a indication of the car on short trips and its operating temperature.