#1: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: LeeUK, Location: NorthumberlandPosted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 3:54 pm ---- Driving along today and car felt funny, all jerky and lumpy etc. Then a bit later on I notice clouds of smoke out the back window so I pull into a garage and they took a look.
Turns out the coolant expansion tank is bone dry and that I've had oil in the water too. They say that it has mixed with the rest of the oil and got into the cylinders etc.
They said that my head gasket has gone and not to drive it. Does this sound right about head gasket gone?
They put a little bit of coolant in it to get me home (only half a mile down road) but the smoke wasn't bad this time. Got home and it's bone dry again. Topped it up with coolant and water mixture and it starts chucking out smoke again after it has warmed up a little.
Coolant tank was full couple of weeks ago when I glanced when I was filling screen wash up but it was probably full of oil and water.
#2: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: MrZiggerz, Location: Milton KeynesPosted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 4:44 pm ---- Sounds like headgasket failure to me.
Its a pricey job.
#3: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: ukskater01, Location: sutton surrey/welwyn garden cityPosted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 4:45 pm ---- Sounds like headgasket to me. Might be cheaper to get a second hand engine and swap it
#4: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: Edward, Location: In the garagePosted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 2:54 am ---- Just get the gasket changed. No way will it be cheaper to fit another engine.
#5: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: PugJH, Location: NorthantsPosted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 3:07 am ---- What do people class as pricey now adays. Head gasket on that engine done professionally shouldn't cost to much. Not as much as other cars on the road.
#6: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: LeeUK, Location: NorthumberlandPosted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 5:59 am ---- How much would this cost at your average garage? I don't have facilities to do anything like this myself.
#7: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:44 am ---- Get some recommendation from friends and ring around. relatively simple on this engine so doesn't have to be a main dealer task. I bet it still hits your pocket to near £300 and maybe a little more.
#8: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: macca1411, Location: Westhoughton, LancashirePosted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 7:19 am ---- It's any other damage that has been done to the internals that would be my worry. 10 litres plus of coolant mixed with the oil wouldn't do it any good.
You wouldn't really know until the head is off and it can be seen where the gasket has failed.
An engine change might work out cheaper and easier in the long run.
#9: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: marnemainia, Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 11:01 am ---- If its got that hot, be sure to have the head skimmed before fitting head gasket
#10: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: LeeUK, Location: NorthumberlandPosted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:34 pm ---- Thanks, not sure if it's all going to be financially viable as it has also failed MOT on both upper strut bearings, brake pipes, and rear brakes. £250-300 at a garage for those at least.
#11: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: Edward, Location: In the garagePosted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 4:01 am ---- That lot isn't expensive to fix...all cheaper than a new car.
#12: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: LeeUK, Location: NorthumberlandPosted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 5:10 am ---- Yes parts are cheap but that's garage prices unfortunately.
#13: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: 206Info_SW_Scots, Location: ScotlandPosted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:15 pm ---- If it's a 2001 and high mileage, time to change the car.
#14: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: LeeUK, Location: NorthumberlandPosted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 3:09 pm ---- 67K miles.
#15: Re: Coolant tank empty - clouds of smoke Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 4:19 pm ---- Shame you haven't got a knowledgeable mate. DIY would easily make it worth saving if the body and interior are good.
I sold my daughter's several months ago; it was a very nice example, almost immaculate, with history "W" plate 2000 car. Sold for asking price of £650 and probably a little under priced as the phone rang off the hook but it was a well maintained car (by me) with lots of history. The buyer tried to haggle on the phone but once they saw it then bought it without a hint of asking for money off and I declared that the cam belt was due.
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