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[PAUL1975]

Hi All,
 
Recently purchased a 51 plate 2.6 V6 with 95k from a private seller. On checking the oil, water and so on today, I've noticed that there is some white / brown stuff on the underside of the oil filler cap and down the tube? On opening the water coolant bottle, its a bit smelly and I can see brown stuff in the bottom of the bottle?
 
Car is running fine with no smoking or overheating. I'm just worried I may have a HG problem on the way or could it be something else?
 
Thanks for all the advice
 
Regards,
 
Paul

[Gaffers]

Sounds like the oil cooler is either about to go or it has been fixed and not properly fixed.

You need to ascertain from the previous owner if it has been changed and if not then get it done pdq.  The longest part of changing the oil cooler is flushing it and the longer it is driven with a failed cooler the longer you spend flushing.

It is very unlikely to be HG, but if you want to waste your time you can do a compression test. 

[PAUL1975]

Hi thanks for the reply, I'm clueless when it comes to cars so if it it oil cooler, how much am i looking at for a full repair? Only just got the car but it seems to run fine, lots of power and smooth ride. The white mayo in the oil filler neck was a concern to but I've read on here it's not much to worry about?
Cheers.

[Entwood]

Hi thanks for the reply, I'm clueless when it comes to cars so if it it oil cooler, how much am i looking at for a full repair? Only just got the car but it seems to run fine, lots of power and smooth ride. The white mayo in the oil filler neck was a concern to but I've read on here it's not much to worry about?
Cheers.

Correct .. mayo in the filler neck is "normal" after a series of short runs ... basically the neck remains relatively "cold" compared to the rest of the engine, so condensation of gases occurs. A good long run which gets the whole underbonnet area well warm usually clears it.


"brown stuff" in the expansion tank is also common .. especially if the coolant has not been changed on a regular basis ... look at many omegas and the expansion bottle is usualy a brown coulour !!  Its a mixture of the colour of the antifreeze and the limescale in the water dropping out IMHO.


I accept it COULD be old oil from a cooler failure . but it is not a certainty... I'd go for a coolant flush, clean as much of the crap from the expansion tank as you can, (long screwdriver and a bit of cloth shifts a fair bit !!) refill with 50% antifreeze and see how it goes.

[Kevin Wood]

I would expect a lot of floating oily sludge in the expansion tank if it was the oil cooler. A bit of sediment is no cause for concern but probably an indication that it needs a coolant change. Keep the coolant fresh and the oil cooler should last. Just keep an eye on it to see if it gets any worse, IMHO.

[Osprey]

Agree with KW above.  If your cooling system has been flushed and the coolant replaced at the scheduled 40K and 80K, it will look red and bright.  If it is green and bright, someone has tried to do the job on the cheap with the old green antifreeze, possibly to avoid having to flush properly.  If it is murky, my guess would be that it just hasn't been changed. 

If I were you, I'd drain the system (nice easy red drain cock in the rad, should be hand tight) and fill with just water.  Run the car up to temp with the heater on Hi to get the coolant flowing everywhere, then repeat the whole process several times.  Once it is all running clear, fill with 4.5L of Vauxhall red antifreeze and top up with water.  If you clean out the header tank at the same time, you'll get a clear indication if you have oil ingress - but I doubt it. 

The Vx antifreeze is good stuff, and good value at £14.10 + VAT for 5L.  Many on here have joined AutoBahn Stormers, which gets you a Trade Club card for big discounts off Vx service items, including antifreeze for £11.70 + VAT. 

[PAUL1975]

Hi again, Thanks for all the advice
What should I be looking for, or symptoms will I be getting if it is the HG that is failing? How much am I looking at for a new oil cooler?

Would anybody like to carry out a check on my car, and perform a full service with cam belt change? If so please give me some figures. I live in the West Midlands. Can give out personal email if required. Cheers.

[tmx]

Just done my oil cooler on my new 3.2 thanks to JamesV6CDX's HowTo guide!

i had oil in water but no water in oil dont drive the car if it overheats itll cook the Headgasket

wasnt easy to do but not beyond most peoples ability i had to borrow a few tools off a VX mechanic mate

[Kevin Wood]

Head gaskets very rarely fail on the V6, especially the later 2.6 and 3.2 which had metal gaskets.

What you describe sounds normal for a car with manufacturer servicing (i.e. oil and coolant left in rather longer than ideal). Give it an oil and coolant change and it will be fine.

[PAUL1975]

Thanks for all of the advice
If anybody lives local to Wolverhampton and would like to offer to do a full service, inc coolant change then please give me a shout with a price or contact number.

Cheers Guys,

[Gaffers]

About 25 mins up the M6 is Darth Loo Knee who will be able to give your miggy a good service and tell you exactly whats wrong (if anything)  drop him a PM 

[bored bigyin54]

get it fixed as so as possible as i had the same and didnt notice it took me 10 to 12 times to get it clean     a lot off flushing boring as hell

[bored bigyin54]

mean to say soon as possible sorry

[Kevin Wood]

About 25 mins up the M6 is Darth Loo Knee who will be able to give your miggy a good service and tell you exactly whats wrong (if anything)  drop him a PM 

Yep, or Elite Pete.