Today I thought I'd double check my fluid levels even though the car has been running perfect recently, with no overheating bar the usual getting a bit warm in traffic scenario.

Anyway, I open up my coolant filler cap and it almost bursts out of my hand with pressure although it has not been driven since Monday. First of all, is this normal?! I once asked a friend who has a garage and he says it's a good sign that there are no leaks, however I am pretty sure my heater matrix is leaking as it's giving off quite a coolant mixed with curry smell (As described by others with heater matrix failure in another thread).

Second problem, coolant level is right down the bottom, and what's worse, there are bits of "mayo" in it. So obviously I panic and think the worst, but then after checking the dipstick and oil filler cap, there are no signs of mayo there at all. In fact it looks very clean in those areas still.

Mayo in the oil can be due to condensation, but does mayo in the coolant mean that there is definitely oil in there and something very bad is happening?


Also I have done something that may have been very stupid looking back on it. Basically I poured some coolant into the tank, and to my surprise it took less than 1 litre. So I thought I'd open all the bleed valves, and sure enough there was no coolant coming out of any of them. At which point I remember the car is facing down a hill! As soon as I open the valves I hear the movement of water, and now the rear two valves are dry, the radiator valve has some liquid around it, and the header tank level has risen to almost the top!

What should I do now!?

All help is very much appreciated

It does sound like HG failure to be honest..

As you say, the mayo could be down to condensation, if the oil is OK I think the pressurised cooling system is a bigger issue.

I would do a hydrocarbon test on the coolant - this will let you know if any combustion gases are present in the cooling system.

Any garage should be able to do this for you.

The most common failure mode for HG's on these engines seems to be a breach between a combustion chamber and water jacket, which seems to be the symptoms you describe.

________________________________________

Contact Details:

rich@lynxpowerengineering.co.uk
07732 822546

That's unlikely given the oil is OK.

Particularly given the excessive cooling system pressure, which would force water into the oil if the heat exchanger was defective...

________________________________________

Contact Details:

rich@lynxpowerengineering.co.uk
07732 822546

I have exactly this issue. Too a tee minus that curry thibg :s

Basically the coolant is slightly pressurised , theres a teeny bit of mayo.
Tbh there has always been the most minuscule amount since i had the car 2 ywars and 26k ago but now the coolant is pressurised also.
If there is hydrocarbon in the coolant, what is the best course of action. Changed hg now? Is that cheaper?
Or just wait until it goes? (Not sure i fancy that, if i use the car im normally in central london or on my way home on a 200 kile trip )
If it makes a difference i changed the oil today and can catagorically say there was 0 mayo in it
Thoughts?

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Ex- Phase 3 China GTi-6 T-Reg

Completely agree.

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"Supercharged - 454.1bhp/317.5lb/ft"
Peugeot 306 GTi-6
2000 (X), Moonstone

i had a head gasket change on mine and there was no mayo or water in the oil, just the fact it wouldnt start and was bubbles in the coolant, hasnt yours already had the hg done? might be worth checking if you can get another skim off the current head, either way mate get it done before it goes fully, then youll be kicking yourself!

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306 1.8 xs moonstone blue-SOLD
306 gti6 supercharged china blue-SOLD
406 coupe D9 3.0 V6-SOLD

Right cheers all. I think so playboy, im sure it was mentioned when i bought it but i cant find that anywhere in the history.
How spanked can i expect to be? I assume the belt wouod need to be done to?

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Ex- Phase 3 China GTi-6 T-Reg

head gasket 100% had it with my mates 6 use it as a chance to port and polish the head maybe add cams

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tjones

just a thought

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tjones

welshpug?

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FRESHLY RE-FURBISHED GTI BEAMS
FITTING AND LOWERING AVAILABLE.
ALL AXLES BUILT USING GENUINE PEUGEOT PARTS

IF I'M NOT HERE, IT ONLY MEANS ONE THING.... I'M SOMEWHERE ELSE!

i just know he's done work in the past for forum members south wales area

________________________________________

FRESHLY RE-FURBISHED GTI BEAMS
FITTING AND LOWERING AVAILABLE.
ALL AXLES BUILT USING GENUINE PEUGEOT PARTS

IF I'M NOT HERE, IT ONLY MEANS ONE THING.... I'M SOMEWHERE ELSE!

Oh really? Don't suppose you fancy doing a head gasket and cam belt/water pump on a s**t car then do you?

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Ex- Phase 3 China GTi-6 T-Reg

Bloody hell

My budget is what it cost really, Iv'e been told to expect 700 by a garage?

Are there options though? Like do you mean that there is a cheap option and a proper option? If so I usually go for the proper one

Put it this way, I want the car to last

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Ex- Phase 3 China GTi-6 T-Reg