Shitting myself

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

Right, taken the valver out for its first proper spin since doing the head gaset. Only thing is it seems to be chucking out a bit of white smoke or steam, im hoping this is becuase it pissed down with rain last night and the fact its been sat for 4 weeks.
Also, theres a bit of mayo on the top of the oil filler cap and the top of the dipstick, the part where the oil comes up to is fine. I did spray the block and head with a pressure washer and although i did change the oil im hoping this could be a combination of that and condensation build up? Idle is 'slightly' lumpy and by that i mean only very slight noticable change in engine pitch but hardly any change in rpm. Idle is slightly down when cold ie 750 800.
If the oil and water ARE mixing then how can this be happening? Possbily the headbolts not quite tight enough?

Please help

Cheers

Huw

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:27 am

Water or oil levels dropping?

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

Water level dropped but that im assuming is becuase this is the first time i've taken her out properly. I made the mistake of taking the cap off with the system pressurised, the header tanked filled up nicely Laughing

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

cold start enrichment isn't working or idle control valve feed isn't there causing the low idle.

Take the car on a run, 100 miles should do it, then see if the mayo has gone.

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

Right, guess what im doing later Rolling Eyes

edit: is this somthing anyone has seen before? Cold start enrichment? where would i start to look for that?

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:38 am

Just make sure there is someone available if you need a tow home, or do 100, about 80 times round the block, so you are close to home

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

what bit exactly I have seen all the symptoms many times before.

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

Bits of mayo after a head gasket change

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

well the head was off, coolant easily spills into the oil.

Plus the fact if you park the car overnight you get mayo in it

I have mayo in mine nearly everyday, a good drive gets rid.

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

Right im pretty sure its mixing Crying or Very sad

Been driving around since my last post, mayo on cap and dipstick (not a whole lot) i got funny looks at the roundabout with the ammount of smoke/steam it was putting out. The revs stutter between idle and about 1300rpm, header tank dropped in level somewhat , but then did go down any further. I'ts not too bad cold, lot worse when hot.
Just stopped the car outside, opened the gate. Turned engine back on, pull away and i couldnt see behind me for smoke...tail pipe was still smoking slightly when engine was turned off. Also it pulls ok and is fine above 2500-3000rpm

If its mixing, why would it be doing so?

Cheers

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

if its mixing it would be dissappearing quite quickly and the temp would be rather high.

Start it and leave it running.

BTW the exhauist collects an astounding amount of water in it, the white chamade ouside, poured a load out when I took the cat off, I nearly drowne when I done the saabs exhaust.

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

I can see droplets of water in the tailpipe. Temp is actually fine, clear run at 50-60mph it stays exactly where you said. Doesnt explain the stutter?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

I have water pouring out of my tailpipe if its sat a few days, drops are normal mate. Go start your td and you will see drops!

What stutter, explain it better.

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

dunno, almost like a misfire but not quite as pronounced, i dunno if this is becuase of possible water in the exhaust?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

it won't be caused by wate rin the exhuast.

You sure theres no oil/water in the plug wells?

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

I shall check, on closer inspection most of the water in the header tank has gone. I dont know if this is due to the pressurisation of the system as when i took the cap off (very slowly) it started to rush back in to the bottle (i know you shouldnt really do that) It did manage a 17 mile trip tho and the temp was fine...to maybe it went in to the heater matrix?

At the moment im slightly panicy, the car needs to go to york tomorrow Confused

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

fill the bottle up to the top open the bleed screws and let it pour out, when its bubble free close them. Start the car see if the water goes down a lot.

Put the lid back on with the car still running hold the bottle up and see how much ir goes up the heater side.

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

Right, did the bleed screw thing. Theres only 1 on the rad, right? Put the lid back on the bottle, held it up and bit and revved the car slightly, fair few bubbles in there. Water dropped about 3/4-1inch and seems to have stayed the for the last 10 minutes.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

theres more air in there

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

i shall try to get some more out. car is still belching smoke/steam. not sure how i can tell the difference

edit: got some more bubbles, water level dropped a bit more

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

http://www.aujp71.dsl.pipex.com/smoke.avi

Just so you can see...