Head gasket help!

[Mack]

Garage serviced my Freda and says that after preasure test - no leaks - left standing, started her up - white smoke. Suspects Head gasket. Today however, started up - no white smoke. Suspects head gasget starting to go. It's a lot of money to spend on a suspicion?

[francophile1947]

White smoke (steam) on starting is not unusual in this cold weather - does it clear quickly?
Also, is it starting OK? - white smoke can also be a sign of unburnt fuel due to a failing glowplug.

[Mack]

Starts beautifully. The garage is one very familier with Bongos, as the guy used to do all the work on them at Churcham - does all motors now, though.

[francophile1947]

Starts beautifully. The garage is one very familier with Bongos, as the guy used to do all the work on them at Churcham - does all motors now, though.

Well I reckon, if they know Bongos, it's probably just condensation in the exhaust -as long as it clears quickly Mine's been doing it, on odd occasions, since this very cold spell.

[Bongo bus]

Garage serviced my Freda and says that after preasure test - no leaks - left standing, started her up - white smoke. Suspects Head gasket. Today however, started up - no white smoke. Suspects head gasget starting to go. It's a lot of money to spend on a suspicion?

Hi,
Could just be the cold weather & condensation? Try dipping your finger in the exhaust & tasting (just a bit!!) of the expelled fumes/smoke/water. Usually If its sweet tasting...it means theres antifreeze escaping interanally i.e head gasket/cracked head/block. I've used this method sucessfully for many a year (probably why I'm barmy now!!! )
Hope this helps?
Spencer

[scanner]

You need to establish if it is steam OR white smoke - they are very different things with very different causes.

Steam (condensation) smells damp and steamy (strangely enough), but white smoke has a very different pungent paraffinny, oily sort of smell.

[Simon Jones]

If there is water in the cylinders it will be quite lumpy on start up until is has burnt up. However, a duff glowplug will have the same effect. Unless the water level in the expansion tank is dropping overnight, or the level is rising excessively when the engine is hot, then you could just be ok. A 'sniffer' test is one way to check what's going on in there.

[Mack]

I asked about a sniffer test - he said he couldn't do one - is this the same as emissions test for MOT? I have been losing coolant though - probably should have said that? Been topping up a little each month, as haydn alarm begins too sound if I corner a little fast.

[missfixit70]

Yep sniffer test is just a matter of using the mot exhaust gas analyser in the header, as you carefully open it when you get there it should give a nice testable burp of steam.

[Mack]

Thanks Kirsty, but I have no idea what you mean. Sorry, I'm thick when it comes to engines - I could draw you one though.........

[westonwarrior]

It can be tested by letting it go cold overnight the removing the glow plugs, place card over the holes where the glow plugs go and cranking the engin.

if 1 shows signs of water then there is your answer

[Mack]

Thank you for your help and patience. Given that I am losing coolant, I think for peace of mind, I will have to bite the bullet and get it done. I'll let you know the outcome.

[westonwarrior]

mine lost coolant but only as it cooled so I could drive for hours with no loss but when I looked the next morning it lost coolant.

how much is yours losing and under what circumstances?

[Mack]

Don't know where it goes - all hoses are sound and have been pressure tested. Sometimes as I corner, I here the alarm go, so I top up. I suppose I must put at least a 1/4 pint each month, maybe more.

[stilldesperate]

I'd get a second opinion on the Head diagnosis, Mack. I've just bought a Bongo (my second), and the Radiator had a small leak. Took it to a radiator repairer, who convinced me the head and/or gasket had gone. Even went back a week later and was told the same again.

Local MOT centre put the gas probe in on Monday, and there was a "zero" hydrocarbon reading. Heads fine........ (and he didn't charge for the test!

God luck!