Confused......Where did it come from ?

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redrenger89

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By now some of you will know how little knowledge I have in repairing RR or any other

So please can you help ?

I don't want a punch up between friends

Differing advice from friends as to what caused the butter and moisture in the oil filler cap of an otherwise very good P38.

I looked at with a friend. He liked it and got underneath to look at chassis and underbody, said all looked very clean and tidy like the rest of the body.
Some have said don't touch it others have said it's a good car.

The car

P38 4ltr Petrol/LPG 1996
 
redrenger89 said:
By now some of you will know how little knowledge I have in repairing RR or any other

So please can you help ?

I don't want a punch up between friends

Differing advice from friends as to what caused the butter and moisture in the oil filler cap of an otherwise very good P38.

I looked at with a friend. He liked it and got underneath to look at chassis and underbody, said all looked very clean and tidy like the rest of the body.
Some have said don't touch it others have said it's a good car.

The car

P38 4ltr Petrol/LPG 1996
Click to expand...


Head gasket has gone no question. unless you can do the work your self it will cost anything up to £1200
 
you have to start a new thread for that!
What would you suggest caused it then?The mayonaise fairy?
 
Oh dear Sorry !

This is just how my friends reacted....

One said two words ..... Head shot !

Other one said you have not seen it, cracking car drives well, no signs of pinking started straight away, so possibly due to only short runs.

I said anyone like a pint ?

So I left them to it, I still dont know what caused the butter, One said it is due to too many short runs, but my Classic only does short runs and does not show any signs of it.

Confused
 
goonarmy said:
you have to start a new thread for that!
What would you suggest caused it then?The mayonaise fairy?
Click to expand...

if you read the guys previous thread you would see my thought, note ! i say thoughts ...............my crystal ball is not as good as the one you guys are using.
we all know to a greater or lesser extent of the rover v8s cooling issue`s but that does not mean that every one is a pending disaster waiting to happen , i would pay to look a bit deeper rather that just assume that the engine is knackered !!!!!!.
and im baseing this on almost 40yrs experiance as a mechanic and offering some of that experiance to try to help the guy.
rick.
 
The friend who came to see it said we should go back and look at the dipstick to see the colour of the oil

What do you think ?
 
everyone likes a bit of virtual fisticusffs every now and again!:D
Any of the replies could be right, yep none of us have seen it.....
But the fact its there would put me off compared to a motor without any signs of hgf.
Have it checked by an independat, like the RAC/AA see wot they sez.
Good luck any how!
 
redrenger89 said:
The friend who came to see it said we should go back and look at the dipstick to see the colour of the oil

What do you think ?
Click to expand...
Also taker the oil filler cap off when its running and put your hand over the opening.Any more then a bit of a flutter could spell trouble
 
redrenger89 said:
Oh dear Sorry !

This is just how my friends reacted....

One said two words ..... Head shot !

Other one said you have not seen it, cracking car drives well, no signs of pinking started straight away, so possibly due to only short runs.

I said a anyone like a pint ?

So I left them to it, I still dont know what caused the butter, One said it is due to too many short runs, but my Classic only does short runs and does not show any signs of it.
:) :) :) im not trying to say for on minute that my veiw is 100% right at all , just an option that seems to get overlooked , what has the owner said about it ?? , does it pressurise after a run ? is there any eividence of overheating in the past ??? i.e rusty water staining around the header tank ? also the oil emusifiying in the rocker cover will depend on differing things like where you live , i.e air temperature / moisture in the air and how good the breather curcuit is , as i say i could be wrong , but its something to consider rather than just dismiss an otherwise perfectly good car.
rick.

Confused
Click to expand...
:eek: :eek: :eek:
 
I know I would - the dip-stick I mean. Should have quoted, since there seems to be a landslide of posts coming in.

Even drain the oil to be sure and taking off the rocker covers. The next step would be a exhaust gas test on the coolant. Should these prove positive ---> heads off, taking a couple of clockwise hop-runs around the car praying for the Dark Lord Lucas and hoping for a failed head gasket only.
 
goonarmy said:
Also taker the oil filler cap off when its running and put your hand over the opening.Any more then a bit of a flutter could spell trouble
Click to expand...
yes !!!!!!!! i agree totally with you there any back pressure from the motor , or milkyness on the dipstick then, walk away .
i personally wouldnt consider the aa or rac to be clued up enough on rangerovers to give you expert advice as to the condition , but thats just my opinion again :D :D
 
Good idea

I don't want to buy a dud and I don't want to lose an otherwise good car for a simple fault.
It has obiously had work carried out, new alternator etc. new cd player and LPG ( 2000 quid ) fitted not that long ago so you wonder why someone would sell a car of this quality if all was well.

Is the butter is emulsified oil caused by water from the coolant ?
If so how can it get there if it's not a gasket fault ?
Are there any tests for this type of fault ?
 
Are these vented the same way as my Classic ?
Gases are sucked back into the plenum chamber, this one seems to have a bayonet cap rather than my screw cap
 
redrenger89 said:
Good idea

I don't want to buy a dud and I don't want to lose an otherwise good car for a simple fault.
It has obiously had work carried out, new alternator etc. new cd player and LPG ( 2000 quid ) fitted not that long ago so you wonder why someone would sell a car of this quality if all was well.

Is the butter is emulsified oil caused by water from the coolant ?
If so how can it get there if it's not a gasket fault ?
Are there any tests for this type of fault ?
Click to expand...
condesation mate !.
rick.
 
Cheers Rick and TimoV

More details
price 3695
N reg

Located in Hampshire at small dealer

Dealer seems genuine and said the car is at it came in, He would MOT for one Year and guarantee the engine and gearbox for 3 months.

Did not stop us from looking at anything and just passed us the keys and said tell me what you think when you come back from the test drive.

No signs of water spillage or rusty marks on the expansion tank
No obviouse signs of overheating
Engine has dirt on it and a little oil here and there, so I don't think it has been touched recently.

Still confused
 
redrenger89 said:
Some have said don't touch it others have said it's a good car.
Click to expand...

My Renault Clio that I have as a backup car for when my P38 goes wrong has a buttery sort of oil round the oil filler cap. All it is in condensation from using it for relatively short trips.

If I pull the dipstick the oil looks fine and there's no strange colour to it.

If I was you and I actually saw what your describing I wouldn't worry too much. If the rest of the oil, like when you pull the dipstick, is all mayonaisey and buttery then I would worry.

Obviously I haven't seen it or anything but from what you have said I wouldn't be too worried.

-Wills :)
 
Thank's Wills
The chap seems fair and help the car for another day while I sorted my thoughts out, He didn't complain when I said I was uncertain about buying it.
So I may take both my friends back to look at it.
Cost me a fortune in refreshments so far.

And to be fair all the comments have been valid

Cheers Fred
 
Missed the idea it being a car you were thinking of buying (not a native English speaker) - sorry.

I'd be extremely cautious should the car have mayonaise sludge in the oil cap.
Dip-stick out as described above.
The oil cap off and hand above is a very good idea.
Should you have the car for a test drive (or even better: day or two), then I'd do the exhaust gas test and take off a rocker cover or both (not the head/heads though).

Also check the coolant level before and after your test run.

Drive, drive and drive - hard! Then slow traffic, let it idle a long time at full temps and check the gauge for overheating. Check exhaust gas for excessive water vapour when driving.

Should these prove ok (as other places on the car - no check-book in the dash). Air suspension keeping the level when parked, gear boxes working perfectly etc., I would not worry too much, since you'd get the guarantee.

Disclaimer: Still it is you buying the car. Be cautious!
 
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