2003 3d sport losing water

[nelo]

Hi Folks not been here for a while as car has been good but now the bad news i had a low coolant warning the other day so topped it up and has been fine just checked again and it is low car isnt over heating but there is a little mayo on the oil filler cap its done 138K could this be the head gasket ?
if any one has any words of wisdom they would be most appreciated
thanks in advance lee

[Horizon]

Head Gaskets on this engine are pretty bullet proof, the 3.0i engine is very prone to mayo formation in the cam cover as it takes an age to warm up, so creating condensation in the oil filler area.
I know you have the 3.0d, but short journeys where the engine doesn't get to temperature can be a cause.
The coolant expansion tank is a known weak point for cracking and loosing coolant, worth a check.
Also I was loosing coolant on our 3.0d X3 and it turned out to be the thermostat cover that had cracked.
I fitted an aftermarket one 6 months ago and it eventually cracked last month. I was topping it up every 150 miles.
I had my indie fit an OEM one last week.

[nelo]

thanks for the reply horizon ill have to get under the front and check for water leaks
how easy is the expansion tank to remove ? car runs perfect in all other ways  no smoke no power loss just thought a head gasket would be a fair bet but these engines are pretty bullet proof
i will keep you informed
thanks lee

[X5-D-Sport]

Re Head Gasket....
Mine has done 185,000 now, & I keep a couple of bottles of "Real-Steel" Head Gasket Weld, in-case I can catch it if the gasket lets go.... this stuff is supposed to be a permanent fix & cheaper than ripping the engine to pieces which is not viable on my old bus...

To work out if it is simply warm-up slime or head gasket, take her out (full of water + a spare gallon in a can) & give her a 10 mile run with a few wizzy spells.... & take another peek under the Oil Filler cap when hot... if mustard creamy slime, then the head gasket has failed for sure... before you drive, see if she is using water & check the water filler level too (COLD)..

[nelo]

Hi X5d have done a few miles today just checked the water and have had to top up about 1 ltr only topped up a few days ago have read about the steel seal but would that do any good ?
only done 138K not overheating or any other problems cant see any water leaking from the expansion tank
so will have to see how it goes in the next few day

regards
lee

[Smeeagain]

[quote="nelo"]
Hi X5d have done a few miles today just checked the water and have had to top up about 1 ltr only topped up a few days ago have read about the steel seal but would that do any good ?
only done 138K not overheating or any other problems cant see any water leaking from the expansion tank
so will have to see how it goes in the next few day

regards
lee
[/quote]

Im all in favour of short cuts and genuinelg hope it isnt the head gasket. Ut frankly given the temperatures, tolerances and pressures required to make a cylinder head in the first place, I really dont see how a magic potion in the radiator will suddenly repair or transform a knackered one.
Best bet is to keep going to try and trace the source of the loss then work out your options

[Greydog]

Personal experience I had a water loss on the 4.4 very difficult to trace it turned out to be the Water Pump weeping but only under pressure the engine fan did a really good job of dispersing the evidence.
I would ask your garage to carry out a sniff test on the header tank that will tell you if it's head gasket or not. Fingers crossed "not" then you can search for the real culprit.

With regard to Real Steel I have never used it so can't comment but if it can block holes I would worry about which holes it was choosing to block? So personal preference is I avoid any additive if it wasn't there when built it shouldn't be needed, just my opinion and like arses we all have one