Head Gasket had it?

[Woody3]

Firstly, I'm ever so sorry. Every time I post it seems to be me asking for help/asking for advice

I fear my head gasket has gone on my 3C Mk3.

Noticed back in the summer that it was losing a little bit of water and the dreaded "mayo" was appearing on the oil filler cap.

Fast forward to now, and I seem to be experiencing other symptoms.

When I start her up, or restart her, white smoke plumes out of the exhaust together with droplets of water.

After a while (possibly 1-2mins) it clears and all is fine. I haven't used her since this happened.

Any thoughts before I spend my hard earned on a gasket kit and get the spanners out?

Many Thanks

[philwheelton]

could also be liner trouble Leyland engines are known for it.

[Jeremy Rowland]

If you give her a good hard work out and she boils up (pressurises) that is a good indication of a blown head gasket; however as stated above the liners may also be kaput.

Jeremy

[Mrsmackpaul]

the fact the your getting oil in your water would lean towards a liner

Paul

[Woody3]

Thank for the replies!

She did pressurise up when I worked her hard the other week (basically the breather pipe on top of the radiator was throwing boiling water/steam out) - if that is what you mean by pressurised? I quickly turned her off and allowed her to cool.

Just to clarify, water is getting into the oil, not the other way around. There is no sign of oil in the radiator...

Would this mean liners should be ok?

I assume that I have to take the head off in either case. Will I be able be able to tell if it's the liner from looking down the bores?

[Jeremy Rowland]

Does sound like a head gasket to me because yes it is pressurising by what you say; its not normally the hardest of jobs to whip a cylinder head off and have a look, best of British.

Jeremy

[Woody3]

Thanks Jeremy.

Not had chance to look at her yet, as I need to get her in the barn first.

I'm hoping it's just the HG!