I'm a new member to this site and looking for some advice.

I've recently brought my first cosworth stage 3 setup, I've only covered 800 miles in it and already I suspect that the head gasket is on it's way out as it is pressurising the water system and expels a small amount of water when I put my foot down
There appears to be small traces of oil in the cooling fluid as well.
The engine itself seems healthy ie. no smoke.
I've only topped up approx half a litre of oil in this time.

I live near Lowestoft and was wondering if there is anywhere that anyone could recommend where I could take it for repair? ie.the head pressure tested, skimmed, valve guides etc. And what sort of price would I be looking at?

robbie505

 

Is there any mayonaise in the oil filler cap or on the dip stick? You will always see some strange things in the coolent on any thing other than a fairly recently rebuilt YB. They will blow a little water out of the water filler cap when you give it a bit of a caning.

 

No there doesn't appear to be any water mixing with oil, just pressure in header tank with minute amounts of oil floating on top
Cheers, robbie505

 

The first thing you need to do is replace the yellow cap on the header tank. Mine chucked all it's water out on one spirited motorway blast not long after I'd bought it. It was only running about 250 brake, managed to limp to the services and top up with water. Bought a new header tank cap and was fine.

 

Mayonaise as it were, can appear on the oil cap if used short distances. These engines do breath and condensation occurs, you will see at times the same in the breather pipes. But after a decent drive, this isn't a problem.

Any other symptoms?

 

I was thinking the same thing, it is a baileys header tank and the cap for these are approx £30. I've done some research and some people say that the golf mk 1 and 2 caps will fit, but not sure what pressure these caps are as you can buy them for £3 on ebay! I have changed the thermostat already, flushed out the radiator and put new antifreeze in.
Filled header tank just below half way, driving reasonable, it still pressurises and expels water. So I've lowered the water to about half an inch above bottom pipe and this seems fine (don't expel water) driving normally (but lots of pressure). Put your foot down and it will empty the tank within a 3 mile caning. Baileys header tank appears fairly new.
Cheers, robbie505

 

I was assuming as he's not owned it long it would have had enough use for the mayonaise not to have been there through lack of use, short trips or condensation.

 

Don't waste your time cutting corners on some thing as simple as this, bite the bullet and get the correct item from Ford, you won't regret it. It sounds like your current cap is fucked.

 

ok mate i will try the cap to eliminate the pressure. but where would the oil be coming from
cheers robbie505

 

Robbie,

is it a film of oil in the water or drops (globuals)? If it's just a film I don't think it's any thing to worry about.

 

it is small drops. about 1 to 2 mm wide

 

Mmmm, could just be crud that has freed up from it loosing it's coolant previously. Try the new Ford cap and go from there buddy.

 

Ok mate order one today. Hope it is. Just want to get it sorted for a rolling road

 

Deffo need to get it sorted before rr, they don't take kindly to oil and water over their rollers... good luck mate

 

Cheers mate thanks for advice. I will keep you posted

 

Thanks mate

 

correct me if im wrong but arnt ford and bailey caps non interchangeable due to being different sizes?

 

yes you are right, i've got a ford mondeo tdci as well and i've tried the cap-it does not fit.

 

Bummer looks like you'll have to get one from the tank manufacturer.

 

got a new cap but still the same i gave harvey gibbs a ring and booked it in next week for head gasket