3 replies to this topic

[Jamie80]

Hi Guys,

My 17 year old son has a 1980 998 mini, well when I say my Son has a mini, he drives it and I seem to be constantly repairing it…..

The latest problem that I would appreciate some advice on is.

There was a really strong smell of petrol today, when I looked under the bonnet there appears to be a covering of oil all over the engine, the rocker cover seems to have oil seeping out around the bolts and where the cover meets the head almost like a huge build up of pressure in the engine. When I checked the water in the radiator it can only be described as think brown cream, it was down on water\cream!. There doesn’t appear to be any water in the oil.

The engine sounds OK, I don’t think it’s down on power.

Could this be signs that the head gasket needs doing?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Jamie

Edited by Jamie80, 07 February 2017 - 09:43 PM.

[mk1leg]

well if your head gasket is gone you will need to do a compression test on all cylinders IE you will need a tester and remove 1 plug at a time and hold tester over plug hole tight against head and read the gauge then do next plug till all 4 read then see if they are all the same......another give away will be a mayonnaise looking stuff on oil filler cap 

[Jamie80]

The funny thing is there doesn't appear to be any water in the oil\mayo under the oil filler cap.

Just spoke to my lad again, he said he thinks it is down on power.

Edited by Jamie80, 07 February 2017 - 10:32 PM.

[tiger99]

The head separates 4 distinct spaces ie combustion chambers, coolant, oil and atmosphere. It does not automatically follow that a leak between combustion chambers or between one combustion chamber and coolant involves the oil. Actually it would be relatively rare considering where each passes through or around the gasket. Adjacent combustion chambers to each other are most common, followed by one combustion chamber to water. So lack of oil contamination tells very little except that you may not have to change the oil just yet.

I have never bothered to acquire a compression tester. I would just take the head off for a look, as it is so easy on a Mini. Drain the coolant below the gasket level first. Examine both sides of the gasket and the head and block surfaces carefully. All will be revealed...