Could this be the end? I think my gasket is gone...

DanMan

Hi everyone...

This is my first post and very well could be my last.

A few weeks ago I bought my Astra 2.2 SRi and have been delighted with it. In pretty good nick, nice interior etc. etc. etc. Had a look before I bought it and it seemed to be running alright, bit of a lumpy idle but figured that would be the EGR valve - an easy fix - so decided to pay the 600 quid and take it.

Now I've blanked the EGR valve and although that did improve symptoms slightly, the rough idle is still there. Did a bit of research and decided to replace the CTS (Still awaiting that in the post).

However, the problem is now I checked under the oil cap and in the dip stick and there seems to be a deposit of something that looks like butter in both that's now appeared. This is definitely not a good sign...So the inevitable question is:

Is my head gasket kaput?

Thanks fellas

pottsey

im guessing you do short journeys ,as mine is the same has been ever since i bought it .the 2.2 does suffer quite a bit with condensation,so unless your loosing water i wouldnt worry too much .h/g failure on the 2.2 is not very common .take the car for a good run should clear any mayo

DanMan

Cheers for the quick reply - you're right on the money, only do about 4 miles a day...I'll definitely do that then. Was trying to figure out how that happened cause the mayo definitely wasn't under the oil cap or on the dipstick when I bought the car. Alright, well good to know its not the gasket then and I haven't wasted £10 on a replacement CTS.

Thanks again mate!

pottsey

no worries ,might be worth having your throttle body off and give it a good clean as well ,whilst its off disconnect the battery for 30mins ,then after put it back on then drive the car for 30 miles not going over 3k rpm that way the ecu will learn new parameters and adjust accordingly .
new set of plugs would help as well
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-VAUXHALL-SPARK-PLUGS-FOR-Z22SE-ENGINES-/260787311835?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cb82294db

be sure not to over tighten them though as plugs 1+4 are very close to the water jacket and can easily crack

DanMan

That's a good shout actually, will look at that next weekend and give the throttle body a clean too. Is it an easy enough job to do? Gonna have to wait until the weather improves a bit though.

Cheers for the link, will order a new set of plugs next month - Mrs wanted a holiday so a bit skint at the moment!

pottsey

yeah very easy to do ,inlet pipe off ,unplug it ,then 4 bolts :thumbup:

DanMan

Brilliant mate, thanks again. I'll get onto that next weekend and let you know I get on

sandyc

I'd be surprised if your head gasket was gone. Even if it was and it didnt overheat then it aint the end of the world mate. Aint that hard or expensive to sort if you're handy with the spanners.
You could do your chain at the same time if need be.

rushy

With a factory Stat in, mine runs perfect with no mayo, but with an Autovaux stat, same as the Courts cool running stat I get mayo on both the dipstick tube (not sump) and cap. These cool stats (warmer climate) dont seam to work with short run cars but the higher temp factory (cooler climate) ones seam to work fine on short runs. My factory one used to sit bang on 90, but this Autovaux one sits around 84 and drops when I'm sitting at high speeds but not pushing the motor.

DanMan

Thanks for the replies guys...relieved to know its not the head gasket cause I doubt I could replace it myself - more of an amateur wrench user I would say. So that would definitely put a dent in the funds.

Don't think this crappy weather is agreeing with most things, least of all myself. Gonna take the beast on a long haul and see if that clears the gunk out. Fingers crossed!

Matt

My wife's corsa C was exactly the same. Gunk under the filler cap, and only doing 11 miles a day to work and back. It's done a couple of good 400 mile plus round trips, and it's clean as a whistle now.

DanMan

Thanks guys, good to hear. Got a new problem now that appeared last night, EML light is on so god knows what needs sorting next