Coolant/Oil problem - Help please!!!

1196 Views 15 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Rock-babe, Sep 19, 2010

Rock-babe

Discussion Starter · Sep 19, 2010

Since getting my TF at the beginning of August, I check the water levels often and until this week they have been fine.

On Thursday I noticed it was low so topped it up. I've driven about 20 /25 miles since then but when I looked today it was down about a centimetre again. The fan stayed on a while when I stopped yesterday after driving about 10 miles.

Today I've topped it back up and checked the oil dipstick. The oil level is very high - about the same distance up the dipstick as between the min/max dots and there is a small amount of creamy deposit on the bottom of the dipstick. (checked this 3 or 4 times and its the same each time)

The car had a full oil change before I picked it up from the dealer so I hadn't checked it until now (a month after buying it).

I want to get my facts straight before contacting the dealer again.

Could this be a sign of HGF? Could the high oil level be a cause of some sort of failure?

I was told that the gas level in the water was checked when the dealer got the car and there was no problem

I have a 3 month warranty so am keen to get this sorted quickly!!!

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Lee121

· #2 · Sep 19, 2010

It MIGHT be.....dont be too concerned about mayo deposits on the dipstick as this is notorious for condensation.....and if you're only using the car for short journeys the oil wont properly warm up.

Need to look under the oil filler cap to see if its mayo under there and what the state of the coolant tank is like if there are oily deposits in there.

Plus don't top up with water....only use OAT coolant (readily available ready mixed from halfrauds).

You may have a split hose, leaking underfloor pipe, leaking water pump...all these get mis diagnosed as HGF....and also the cap on the coolant tank fails too.....but its only a £5.99 fix

Aiketgate

· #3 · Sep 19, 2010

Don't drive the car with the oil level that high! It could be that the coolant is getting into the oil and a raised level is a sign of that. Contact the garage and tell them about the water loss and raised oil level as soon as possible.

Rock-babe

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 19, 2010

Thanks for that.

I do tend to do a lot of short journeys so that makes sense.

There are no deposits under the oil cap and no oily deposits in the water tank.
I'll get a new cap tomorrow and see if that helps.

Still a bit concerned about the level of oil though. It was very high over the max mark. The oil filler pipe is extremely wobbly and doesn't seem to be bolted to the block as I would expect it to be. Would that make a difference to anything?

Sorry if I sound totally daft!!!!

Rock-babe

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 19, 2010

Aiketgate said:
Don't drive the car with the oil level that high! It could be that the coolant is getting into the oil and a raised level is a sign of that. Contact the garage and tell them about the water loss and raised oil level as soon as possible.

Thanks - my last reply crossed yours in the ether!

Lee121

· #6 · Sep 19, 2010

not daft.....just blonde!! :hysteria: :getcoat:

bammbamm

· #7 · Sep 19, 2010

Rock-babe said:
Since getting my TF at the beginning of August, I check the water levels often and until this week they have been fine.

On Thursday I noticed it was low so topped it up. I've driven about 20 /25 miles since then but when I looked today it was down about a centimetre again. The fan stayed on a while when I stopped yesterday after driving about 10 miles.

Today I've topped it back up and checked the oil dipstick. The oil level is very high - about the same distance up the dipstick as between the min/max dots and there is a small amount of creamy deposit on the bottom of the dipstick. (checked this 3 or 4 times and its the same each time)

The car had a full oil change before I picked it up from the dealer so I hadn't checked it until now (a month after buying it).

I want to get my facts straight before contacting the dealer again.

Could this be a sign of HGF? Could the high oil level be a cause of some sort of failure?

I was told that the gas level in the water was checked when the dealer got the car and there was no problem

I have a 3 month warranty so am keen to get this sorted quickly!!!

hopefully it's been over filled when they did the service but definitely need to correct the level as this can cause damage to the engine

1955diesel

· #8 · Sep 19, 2010

If the oil level is raised due to coolant contamination, it will turn to the colour of chocolate milkshake. It is more likely that it has just been overfilled. In that case, it should be drained back to the MAX mark.

Coolant loss needs investigating because it is a prime cause of gasket failure, but as mentioned above, it could be any one of a dozen things leaking.

Rock-babe

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 19, 2010

The oil looks ok, so hopefully it was just overfilled.

Another blonde question - where is the sump plug so we can drain some out? :dunno:

bammbamm

· #10 · Sep 19, 2010

the plug is under the engine on the right hand side/drivers side but you'll have to fully drain or you'll end up with oil up your sleeve

not good :lol:

1955diesel

· #11 · Sep 19, 2010

If you take it to a garage, they will suck a bit out through the dip stick tube.

Rock-babe

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 19, 2010

Thanks.
I'll be getting my other half to do the deed so there'll be no oil up MY sleeve ! hehehehe!!!!

Aiketgate

· #13 · Sep 19, 2010

Rock-babe said:
The oil filler pipe is extremely wobbly and doesn't seem to be bolted to the block as I would expect it to be. Would that make a difference to anything?

There is a bracket just under the wide part of the dipstick/filler assembly - it should be attached to the engine, but can break allowing the filler/dipstick to wobble about.

Rock-babe

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 19, 2010

Quick update:

With the aid of a rubber glove and a plastic bag made into a protective covering, 3/4 litre of oil drained with no filling of sleeves!

I'll keep a close eye on the levels over the next day or so, but at least I know the level is right now as a starting point.
I'll get a new expansion tank cap tomorrow to see if it sorts out that little problem too.

Thanks everyone!

bammbamm

· #15 · Sep 19, 2010

crikey that was quick !! maybe you have a coolant leak they have a tendency to leak only when the coolant is upto temperature (know from experience)
glad to hear there was no filling of the sleeves, good luck with the other and let us know how you go on.

can we have some piccies of your tf ? :rules::nopics: :naughty:

Rock-babe

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 19, 2010

I've only got a few pics at the mo - I did try to post them but I think they're too big which I thought might make me unpopular! I must get round to sorting that out cos I LOVE showing her off !

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