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[alanfp]

Hi

99.99% sure my h/gasket has gone (topping up water every 50 miles, oil every 300 miles). Water stinks of oil.

Any idea what an independent garage would charge me to renew it?

Also, how long should it last before I might have to do it again? Friend of mine recommends getting it fixed, then getting rid of the car quick, but I would have thought it should be OK for 60-80k miles before giving out again.  Any opinions? (Facts preferred, but opinions gratefully received )

Many thanks,

Alan

[Phil B]

One thing I've learnt from this forum is the head gaskets are unlikely to go on omegas, with oil in the water you are more likely looking at a failed oil cooler. Try a search on the forum for this and you should find some fitting threads.

I think failed head gaskets would also pressurise the coolant pretty quickly from cold, and make it smell more like combustion products.

Some more knowledgeable ones will be along tomorrow I'm sure!

[sounds2k]

I think it's only the V6 lumps that have the oil cooler, if so (and HG failure is confirmed with a gas test) then once the gasket is replaced using a genuine part then I don't see why it should then be fine for about the distance you mention - if not more ...

[JamesV6CDX]

This is a 4 cylinder engine, so head gasket failure is more likely, although still not overly common.

If there is cross contamination, I would say HG is a good suspect. To help diagnose, please can you specifically answer the following:

1) Can you smell petrol fumes in the header tank?
2) You mention there are traces of oil in the coolant - are there traces of coolant in the oil? If so, how bad?
3) Any smoke from the exhaust, white or blue especially?

If it is the head gasket, and it has been driven a lot like it (which it sounds like it has) then it may also require a skim.

Well worth changing all the valve stem seals while the head is off, if you plan to keep the car.

Do the job right, and it should see you good for a long time.

The main reason for HG failure on vauxhalls is inadequate coolant changes.

[Craig_R]

Good test for a Head Gasket if its leaking water into the pots it will misfire after leaving it over night and then the misfire will clear up within 3 or 4 revs.

This happened to mine and i know it did on Tunnies dads 2.2.

Just get the header tank checked with the liquid system it turns the blue liquid yellow if hydrocarbons are detected ie exhaust fumes in the coolant

[magnul]

When my HG broke it didn't show up as oil or water problems (except for coolant loss). Couldn't see it on the compression test either. The way it was diagnosed was miscoloured spark plug at cyl#4. AFAIK cyl4 is where it brakes most often. Check your plugs for any discolouration.

[Phil B]

Ah yes I misread the 2.2, I should go to bed earlier

[alanfp]

Thanks all - I'll try to have a look at the weekend.

If it is the h/gasket and needs doing, would £400 inc parts & labour sound about right? (not including doing any work on the head).

Alan