getting rid of mayonnaise

[LNM]

Got a rather bad case of Hellmans in my coolant system. Suspecting the worst in the form of burst head gasket as the root cause; but if it is its a very gradual burst because I've driven it for months without noticing a problem. I discovered it by fixing the level switch which was trying to float in the stuff + predictably enough, was having difficulty doing so.

Has anyone ever gotten rid of the mayonnaise caused by oil in the coolant using automatic detergent to break down the stuff? The head gasket has gone before + was replaced by MB; possibility that this stuff has been in there for years, or the gasket has gone again.

There is also a coolant leak from under the car, directly under the heater matrix (this leaked when cold the other day when I filled up the coolant again) Can't really see how these would be related, but thought I'd mention it, your honour.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Bad news...the same coolant from the engine goes around the heater and through the matrix.....if its leaking from one its leaking from them all.

But that does not explain the mayonnaise....it only comes if you are getting engine oil into the cooling system. You also get mayonnaise if you get coolant in the sump which can then find its way up through the crankcase breather and back into the air filter....and also find some under the oil filler cap.

As far as I know...mayonnaise either way is a head off job. You will need to clean out the cooling system too.

I should add though you can also get it from only doing short journeys and the engine does not get to heat up properly.

 

[LNM]

Thanks Olaf

What I don't know is how old the mayonnaise is; it could be as a result of the original head failure and I suspect mayonnaise dating is a rare skill. I can see no evidence of water in the engine oil; its the first place I looked when the coolant level started dropping.

Whatever, I'm going to run some Persil automatic through it; because leaks or no leaks, I need to get rid of it. At least this way, (after the leak is identified (boo hoo) I'll find out if its getting made on a regular basis.

Its been doing a total of 50 motorway minutes a day (bog all for the past two weeks like..)

Worrying me though, because I really really really do not want to get rid of the old goat.

Wish me luck.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

How long is it since you had the head gasket done? You should not be losing coolant unless there is another problem. Mayonnaise could be blocing vent? If you are losing liquid at the heater then this would explain the loss, not much into these but the heater matrix is really just a small radiator with flexible pipes and some valves. Like radiators they can leak occasionally but all you would suffer is lossof coolant, not Hellmans.

 

[190]

I t might be coming from the auto transmission if the car is an auto it could be leaking inside the radiator where the auto transmission fluid gets cooled. Check the auto fluid in the box and see if that is milky

 

[LNM]

Both

Not gonna do anything till next week now, but I appreciate the pointers.

On a lighter note, I've found a local independent garage who's owner is a W124 nut, is a member of the merc club and , even better, has a 300CE !!

He's already invited me to bring the old crate to his shop when he's not too busy for a snoop.

Life is good sometimes.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Good point 190. I would prefer to be dealing with a dud radiator than a head gasket. I remember now that the radiator is made up with part of it for cooling the transmission fluid on some models.

 

[Gavin450slc]

Is it mainly in your expansion tank?

If so, you may find that you can take your tank off - run really hot soapy water through it and then shove it back on.

I had to do this on my Audi when the oil cooler leaked - and after I did this - it was sorted (the mayo floats to the top see)

Ta.

Gavin.

 

[LNM]

you mean expansion tank I presume?

I'll give it a go on Monday while everyone is lying drunk in their beds after the excesses of the weekend.

I was going do it on Saturday, but the proposal was immediately rejected by the committments committee.

Bah

Cheers !!!

clink !!

 

[Gavin450slc]

yup - the expansion tank (put that in the heading but forgot you can hardly see the headings on this forum).

good luck.

Gavin.

 

[LNM]

All

Gave it the flush a couple of times yesterday; looks like someone has puked under the engine now..

However, I now reckon its haunted.

No leaks from anywhere now. I'm pretty sure its not leaking ( + never was) from the matrix. The leak from the wheel arch was from my attempt to isolate the matrix.

I ran the engine up to 70 C + lovely hot air from heater now.

After I switched it off I opened the expansion tank cap + about half a cup full sqirted out; very obvisouly under pressure. I know the system is pressurised, but isn't this only when its really hot, like 90 - 100 ?

I'll get the air in the expansion tank sniffed with an exhaust thingy to confirm on deny my worst fears. I think Gavin450slc said this elsewhere.