Which engine, HDI (and i think a few petrol models) have an oil cooler which can leak and mix oil/coolant which can give symptoms of head gasket failure

 

Thank you guys.

I have left the car to idle for about 30mins after putting in the new coolant and have driven it for around 10-15mins just near my house (as it's not insured) and it seems to be fine.

Although is it normal for the temperature to go just above 90 (like 94/95) and then drop back to 90 when the fan comes on at around 94/95 even when it's just idling and not being driven? The fan only comes on at 94/95



It's a Peugeot 206 1.4 Zest

Thanks.

 

If it was oil it would float on top of the coolant.

Brownish sludge is probably coming from corrosion in the engine. Provided the car is not losing coolant (check the level daily before starting) I don't think you have a problem, except for the question "How did it run out of coolant in the first place?"

You could consider flushing the entire cooling system. Then, if all is well, put anti-freeze in with the coolant. It not only prevents freezing in winter; it inhibits corrosion, and should therefore be present all year.

 

That sounds pretty good, except for driving without insurance, which is a big NO, NO. Stop it!

 

It was only one time. I was aware of all the consequences etc. <img src="http://www.peugeotforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />

That's what mine's been doing for 14.5 years...
Usually rock steady at 90 while moving, creeping up when in queues/idling, and dropping back as the fan comes on.

So it looks like there's no problem at all now! <img src="http://www.peugeotforums.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Big Grin" class="inlineimg" />

Thanks everyone! <img src="http://www.peugeotforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />

I've checked the coolant today and it looks like this (pic attached). Is that oil mixing in with the coolant? The coolant level stays the same every day but it just changed colour and looks sludgy. I'm not sure if this one has the oil cooler as someone said above

 

Can't tell from the pic. Put a plastic or glass tube into the reservoir to get a sample, and see whether the colouration is floating on the top.

 

Hi,

I’m in the same position, I took the car to the garage and they found oil in the coolant. They’re not sure exactly what happened so I was advised to keep checking the fluids and wait and see.

I just did what IamML advised and did a beaker test. I had a clear red liquid (this shade https://www.cleanandclear.com/astringents-toners/essentials-deep-cleaning-astringent) with a brown “melted chocolate” sludge. However droplets of the sludge sank to the bottom of the beaker, I would have expected them to rise to the top.

 

I think "melted chocolate" sludge is common - I had it in mine. It's not oil, so I think it is corrosion product.

 

Wow! Unfortunately I can’t high five you through the screen, but you have just made my night.

I was out car shopping today, so if it is broken I will replace it, but I really don’t want to scrap this car yet.

Other than the beaker thing, are there any other tests I should do?

 

Other than the beaker thing, are there any other tests I should do?

You could check for combustion products in the coolant, which would indicate a head gasket problem. It's called a "sniff" test e.g. link

 

Okay, I think I finished the “denial” stage, there is definitely oil in the coolant.

I checked the coolant earlier today. The stuff at the top seems like corrosion sludge. However I can see that around the walls of the tank, it is covered in a black substance.

I touched it, the substance is black and oily feeling. I compared it to the dipstick, the only difference was, the dipstick oil smelt similar to petrol, while the coolant tank substance had no real smell.

How screwed am I?

 

It sounds more like soot than oil, but it probably still means a head gasket problem. There are some products which can be added to coolant which form a metallic film in the presence of heat, and can seal small gasket leaks. They allegedly do not clog the cooling system You could consider trying that.


Search "Head Gasket Leak Seal".

 

Excellent, thank you so much for diagnosing that.

I’m guessing the identifying feature was the black stuff coating the walls buy not floating?

I searched for head gasket sealers and I can pick some up from my local halfords, although I am suspicious, when things sound too good to be true, they usually are. Do you have any experience or thoughts on them?

 

Excellent, thank you so much for diagnosing that.

I’m guessing the identifying feature was the black stuff coating the walls buy not floating?

Yes, that's right. Also no smell. Calls carbon to mind.

I searched for head gasket sealers and I can pick some up from my local halfords, although I am suspicious, when things sound too good to be true, they usually are. Do you have any experience or thoughts on them?

Why not do a sniff test to make sure it IS the head gasket? If you don't know the previous history of the car, it may have had a head gasket failure which has been repaired, but they didn't bother to clean the header tank. I would do a sniff test, and if it's clear (i.e. there are no exhaust gases in the coolant, flush the cooling system, clean the header tank out, refill with fresh coolant and see how it goes.

I have no experience of sealers, but I've researched around, and it seems the right stuff can be effective, but don't use it unless you are sure it's needed.