head gasket

[japimport]

hi all i think myhead gasket is gone the reasons why think its gone are
1,its geting a bit smokey from start up to runnin temperature 80
2,its losing coolant,not much just a coule of mil,
3,checked the oil filler cap it has a little bit of mayo on it
and i would like to add that the car doesnt get driven much its mosty short trips,and the car isnt over heating it is a bit lumpy on idle aswell

does anyone have any info on this that can help me my car is a c200 sport 122,000 miles on clock the year is 95
thanks very much for your help

 

[television]

Its either head off or try one of the sealers on the market that could seal it for a while or long term, one never knows.

I would give it a go as nothing much lost

Edited as Xtractorfan's good post below is worth doing

 

[Xtractorfan]

You really need to pressure test the system or take the car for a good drive and get it up to temp, the short trips would account for the mayo in the oil cap.. the water loss could be from a weak hose or similar

 

[japimport]

thanks for replying what type of sealer should i get i just need it to last a couple of months anyway im tinking of geting an e class next coz itl cost me an arm and a leg over in dublin to get the head done in mercedes close to a grand i really like this car but is a 95 and if the sealer does the trick ill be happy is there any other way i can check if head gasket is gone just to be 100 percent sure

 

[television]

http://www.myhonestmechanic.com/articles/engine-block-sealer-additive.shtml

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Engine-Cylind...temQQimsxZ20090109?IMSfp=TL090109114001r38065

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=14083

 

[japimport]

thanks malcolm ill try that sealer stuff out as you said ive nothing to lose if it works ive saved myself a few quid thanks for the quick reply very helpfull as usual keep up the good work thanks

 

[television]

thanks malcolm ill try that sealer stuff out as you said ive nothing to lose if it works ive saved myself a few quid thanks for the quick reply very helpfull as usual keep up the good work thanks

Xtractorfan had a very good point on a car that is not used much, so do check that out

 

[japimport]

will do ill let yous know how i get on

 

[japimport]

well im just back i went on a long drive as xractorfan suggested and theres no sign of any mayo on the oil cap but before i went on the drive i just checked the coolant everything looked fine then i checked my oil and its on half on the dipstick only topped it up full in november so is his bad news for the car is it on its last legs as it sems to be buring oil there is no leaks under the car or anything

 

[Xtractorfan]

If you are burning oil, try using a heavier grade oil, but first of all you may just have sticking rings due to not using the car much, I would first of all go for one of the oil additives and a fuel additive as well, redex , millars ,wynns you choose ..£20 spent ..cheaper than an engine or scrapping the motor..

 

[pomm001]

thanks for replying what type of sealer should i get i just need it to last a couple of months anyway im tinking of geting an e class next coz itl cost me an arm and a leg over in dublin to get the head done in mercedes close to a grand i really like this car but is a 95 and if the sealer does the trick ill be happy is there any other way i can check if head gasket is gone just to be 100 percent sure

I agree with the other replies. you seem to putting together the few facts that you have and expecting the worst.

If the head gasket was leaking you would either have oil in the coolant or visa versa and or misfire when starting if leaking into the combustion chamber.

You notice that the mayo has gone after a run, most likely due to your duty cycle , short trips, also now burning oil, most vehicles after a good blast after short runs will need a top up, blow by from the combustion process puts water condensate into the engine oil, if the engine doesnt get hot enough it wont evaporate off. A good run gets rid of this, but the oil level will drop to compensate for the evaporated coolant.
Dont worry too much, if you have a concern get a good diagnosis confirmed first before you spend lots of your hard earned cash
best of luck

 

[Roger Jones]

Before doing anything more radical, I would simply use the car a lot more and avoid short trips. The symptoms seem consistent with those of an under-used car.