Do P38's even have head gaskets?

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Vinny73

Active Member
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Look under the oil filler cap of a P38 that's just been started, LOTS of water droplets and creamy white stuff slightly visible.

Oil dip stick looked fine, used but clean oil no sign whatsoever of white creamy contaminated oil so doesn't tally up to me. Only thing I can think is that its slipped liner and water is being pumped into the head/rocker area of the engine (don't know enough about these engines) rather than in the sump/oil area where the dip stick goes.

Let me get this straight - there should be absolutely no sign of water in the oil filler cap, and coupled with a car drinking water = very bad!?

So now looking againg for other P38's
 
No LPG. its a 4.6 HSE. Dipstick oil looked fine. There was alot of condensation on the oil filler cap.
This was one I had a bankers draft in my pocket to pay for and buy... so walked away.
Every other time i've mentioned it on this forum tho, people say run away from. And what I know about signs of HGF on cars is that its a sure sign if the creamy stuff exists under the oil filler cap (and / or the dipstick) that there's a HGF.

Please correct me if I am wrong, as I WILL go pay the guy and take the car tonight if they condensate to a level where it gets a little creamy on the filler cap.

Other tell tale sign on this one is it "drinks about a litre of water every 2 weeks" and is only used at weekends anyway... run away and leave it, or being over paranoid!?
 
Mine is the same - run a head gasket test - all fine. My nephew is a vw tech and says its fine and for me to stop worrying. Easier said than done when my classic went that way;) Do you take it on long runs or just round town?
 
I haven't taken it anywhere yet, was buying. The car itself tho apparently is only used about town at weekends.
The secondary problem of water useage was a big concern that suggests maybe its more than condensating.
 
I've just spoke to a main dealer servicing department who say there should be NO evidence of water, condensation or creamy oil... think that wraps up another saga for me on the road to P38 ownership :)
 
if it using water,and there are no visable signs of an external leak,then i would walk away,as it could be a head gasket or the liner has slipped,unless you can run a coolant pressure test,this would pressurise the coolant system and show up external leaks,also check the drivers footwell,with some white tissue,the heater o rings give problems on these,dab the floor and the tranny tunnel by the lower foot heater and see if the tissue is wet or the same colour as the coolant,if it is the o rings have gone,if it,s dry then there is an issue somwhere,and paying out hard earned cash for something that might cost more to fix,isn,t worth it,in my eyes..
 
I must admit I didnt check the drivers footwell for damp, the car steamed up a bit inside tho whilst warming up!
The pressure test is doable, but the service engineer at Land Rover's comments suggests that condensation in the filler cap is not right, but he didnt ask anything about year/model etc and may be referring only to newer?

Obviously condensation is going to make some creamy residue, but...

It's all getting a bit frustrating and confusing for what should be the simple process of buying a car... conflicting info on the creamy stuff doesn't help :-/
 
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i think if it,s a lot of thick cream oil in the cap,ie stick your finger in the cap and see how deep there could be a problem,if theres only a tiny smear,it well may be just condensation,my mates astra suffers with a slight cream on the cap,and has been for 3 years,and it goes ok,just regualr oil changes,if you can try and get a mechanic to have a look at it,even if it costs you a few quid,but i would certainly be looking at why it,s using coolant,as it shouldn,t use that amount in a short space of time
 
It wasnt loads, but it was noticeable!There were lots of fresh droplets of water after starting and it running for 5 minutes, from freezing cold outside...
 
If its only doing short journeys around town and not warming up properly that could be the problem. Doesnt explain the usage of water though.
 
Regardless of how much condensation is in the cap (and a little is fine if really only used on short journeys ) it is using far too much water for you to take a chance -WALK AWAY, there are plenty more and the right one will turn up :)

I have had my 4.6 since August 06 and have NEVER had to put a single drop of water in the header tank, although I did drain & refill the system last winter with fresh anti freeze
 
v8kenny said:
I have had my 4.6 since August 06 and have NEVER had to put a single drop of water in the header tank, although I did drain & refill the system last winter with fresh anti freeze ;


even after, i had a brand new engine fitted in mine(by a 4x4 garage) i continually had to put in about a pint of water, every week( 150miles), until i found out that the pressure relief cap was not done up tight enough, i wrongly assumed, that you only had to do it up as tight as a normal cap, after tightening the cap f.t. never had to put any more in.
 
gah more info thats v helpful and causes more confusion lol... only time would tell where the water is coming from. The condensation now sounds as if its a non issue, and a little creamy is perfectly acceptable.
Water loss pfff
 
it should do! although i am not sure if it will tell you which it is. in any case its not worth the hassle!

i know yr dying to buy a p38 but take it from experience its worth waiting for!

if you want to sit in a knackered one that will only run for about a mile then let me know and you can lend mine for the day! lol!

trust me, mine is on the drive and cannot be moved because of a (2 ) slipped liner and its not a nice feeling seeing it everyday and having to drive an omega estate!!!
 
gavbriggs said:
having to drive an omega estate!!!
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with that, the V6's are great cars. On the subject, we were worried about a **** load of mayo under the oil cap when my dad bought his 2.5CDX but it was all gone by the time we got it home & still never reappeared 2yrs later- must have just been used for short journeys. Wouldn't chance that on a P38 though!!!

You could buy one on the cheap with a slipped liner and bolt in atop hat job for under 3-4k all in, just a thought!

This is why I have a 3.5!
 
3.5disco said:
Nothing wrong with that, the V6's are great cars. On the subject, we were worried about a **** load of mayo under the oil cap when my dad bought his 2.5CDX but it was all gone by the time we got it home & still never reappeared 2yrs later- must have just been used for short journeys. Wouldn't chance that on a P38 though!!!

You could buy one on the cheap with a slipped liner and bolt in atop hat job for under 3-4k all in, just a thought!

This is why I have a 3.5!
Click to expand...

its a common thing on the v6 engine, usually short journeys or if its been stood a while and just turned over to keep it fit! one other dog of a job is the rocker cover gaskets leaking oil into the plugwells, this causes backfire and missfire! while doing the gaskets its worth cleaning the plenum and breathers as these clog with the white gunk!

i seem to be gathering a wealth of engine experience in the last couple of years!! lol!!! can't wait for the lotto win on saturdAY THEN I'LL BUY A CAR WITH A WARRANTY!!
 
i done my head gaskets and heads skimmed on my 4.6 vouge about 3 months ago done about 1,300 miles in it now and i have had to put about a pint and a half of water in it now as header tank was down to half way, i do only short journeys though ,runs perfect though, is this ok and usual or could it of been just the remainder of the air getting out from when i done the head gasket ,it dont over heat or nothing so not that concerned thanks alot
 
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