help please anyone, i am losing coolant, from the top engine tank, and when i look in the over flow tank behind the rad, it has oil in it. could someone please tell me wot the problem might be. is this something serious?

 

oil in water normally indicates headgasket problem

 

Headgasket problem more than likely.

 

Any sludge build up on the oil filler cap think the best way to be sure is get it pressure tested

 

thanx for quick reply guys, not good news. luckily the car is still under warrenty still with garage, but i need car cos my partner is due to give birth any day.

 

Next time you take the car out on a journey, when you park up, stick your snout in the header tank (remove the pressure cap slowly with some cloth). If ti reeks of horrible, pungent combustion gases, then HG gone.

 

cheers for help joz, car has now gone into garage so waiting to hear back from them. coolant was leaking really bad when i took car for short runs. but would,nt leak when doin long journeys. also noticed water and oil on the inside of the tail pipe of exhaust. also noticed the rad was bending outwards from the sides.

 

Sounds like either a huge airlock or loads of pressure going through the system (HG failed - heat and boost causing it to warp).

Is your rad an all-alloy 'upgrade' one? - these can suffer this warping phenomenon.

 

yes, is an alloy upgrade rad. but i dont think the garage is replacing the rad. just head gasket. will replace the rad myself, as garage are bein a pain in *ss