- My model of MX-5 is: __1.8 NC1
- I’m based near: __Birmingham
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __white smoke.
Hi all
My car lost it’s coolant on motorway. I tried to nurse it to next junction 3/4 mile away but before I got there gauge hit top so I stopped.
It was leaking from thermostat housing . I changed that it’s not leaking but white smoke/steam and creamy oil cap
So
Recommendations please, I want to keep it. Who or would you recommend? Approx cost ? Might it be better to get a reconditioned engine?
Possibly the head gasket gone?
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Unfortunately probably correct. The creamy stuff is probably a small amount of oil leaking into the coolant from the blown head gasket. This happened to me many years ago on a Peugeot 104. If memory serves, if you leave the top off the coolant tank and start the engine and the water has bubbles in like a fizzy drink then this does mean air is getting into the coolant probably from a leak in the head gasket. On my 104 it was a cracked cylinder liner.
White steam from exhaust? Mayonnaise in the oil? Sounds like head gasket. Coolant is entering the combustion chamber and being exhausted out the back. Coolant in the oil will cause the mayonnaise. Head will need a skim and gasket replaced. Shouldn’t be too expensive if no other damage has been done.
Definitely head gasket , so now I need to know cost of repairs. Any recommendations for garage in Birmingham/ west mids
Was it otherwise running ok? Hopefully there’s no damage to the head, though I’m unclear what the propensity is for that in these engines.
Certain it will need a skim. Going to fix it and flog it