Head gasket and oil leak!!

[jibm]

Morning gents

I did a track day at Bedford on Monday and my water temp gauge was rising to near the red when at full throttle :bigcry: i backed off and made sure it didn't get too hot. After searching and reading on here it seems to point to the head gasket that could be the culprit. At the end of the day i also noticed and oil leak splashing down the NSF wheel arch and sill, although is not a massive leak and the oil level has not moved.

The car has warranty, however i am flapless and my concern is the warranty guys will notice this and reject it. The easy thing i hear you say is put it back in, but unfortunately the flap has gone missing during a house move and i cant find it anywhere!!:bigcry:

Thoughts gents please?

[DazBlackCSL]

Morning gents

I did a track day at Bedford on Monday and my water temp gauge was rising to near the red when at full throttle :bigcry: i backed off and made sure it didn't get too hot. After searching and reading on here it seems to point to the head gasket that could be the culprit. At the end of the day i also noticed and oil leak splashing down the NSF wheel arch and sill, although is not a massive leak and the oil level has not moved.

The car has warranty, however i am flapless and my concern is the warranty guys will notice this and reject it. The easy thing i hear you say is put it back in, but unfortunately the flap has gone missing during a house move and i cant find it anywhere!!:bigcry:

Thoughts gents please?

Should not be an issue being flap less mate, mine wasn't as that has nothing to do with it.

Unless you have a very anal dealer of course

[outnumbered]

These days, finding a dealer who actually knows there should be a flap there is going to be a rarity.

[shimmy]

It's debateable of HG failure is a result of overheating (which it can be) or the cause, i am in two minds but get compression test and check just incase.


Did you notice oil temps rise first followed by water temps?

[jibm]

It's debateable of HG failure is a result of overheating (which it can be) or the cause, i am in two minds but get compression test and check just incase.


Did you notice oil temps rise first followed by water temps?

It was a very hot day, oil temp stayed at just below 2/3 most of the time

[plug]

Can you open the expansion tank and give it at bit of a smell, if there is a right bad smell off it and if it is discoloured(darker than normal), it could be the head gasket. Also check under the oil cap, if there is cum looking stuff that also points to the possibility of a HG failure but in most cases not.
Do a coolant pressure test anyway. I'd say the mechanics will carry out more tests also unless they are slow.

[northernjim]

HG failure does happen tho shim and its bound too ( IMO) with the tiny distance 'tween cylinders and years of heat cycling.... tracking just quickens it I think

[Pazuzu]

The easy thing i hear you say is put it back in, but unfortunately the flap has gone missing during a house move and i cant find it anywhere!!:bigcry:

Thoughts gents please?

Hope you get it sorted ok.

I think I've got the flap for mine lurking somewhere in the garage so if they give you grief and you need one just give me a shout.

Cheers!

Phil

[shimmy]

HG failure does happen tho shim and its bound too ( IMO) with the tiny distance 'tween cylinders and years of heat cycling.... tracking just quickens it I think

I know, I've had that already, and high temps on hot trackdays before, but just not convinced it is a sign of HG failure.

[shimmy]

Can you open the expansion tank and give it at bit of a smell, if there is a right bad smell off it and if it is discoloured(darker than normal), it could be the head gasket. Also check under the oil cap, if there is cum looking stuff that also points to the possibility of a HG failure but in most cases not.
Do a coolant pressure test anyway. I'd say the mechanics will carry out more tests also unless they are slow.

HG failure on S54 is common between cylinders, not to coolant.

[plug]

HG failure on S54 is common between cylinders, not to coolant.

Ah ok.


I wonder between having a better oil cooler and bigger radiator would it cool the engine enough on track days to prevent head gasket failure? Might be worth an investment to some folk.

[shimmy]

Ah ok.


I wonder between having a better oil cooler and bigger radiator would it cool the engine enough on track days to prevent head gasket failure? Might be worth an investment to some folk.

I'm leaning towards oil cooler:smokin:

[AlexGTT]

I'm leaning towards oil cooler:smokin:

:thumbs: Since mine had slight tendencies to rise water temps two years ago I've had no such issues since fitting improved oil cooler.

Not saying it'll solve everyone's issues, just giving my experiences.

As Shim mentioned, the OP should get compression checks asap.

[jibm]

I'm leaning towards oil cooler:smokin:

could be the answer to my oil leak perhaps?

[plug]

I'm leaning towards oil cooler:smokin:

HPF do a nice one, a bit expensive though. Fuck that though, maybe a new radiator along with the oil cooler will solve peoples problems? HG can be expensive:banghead: