Head Gasket or?

[SparkoJon]

Hi,

My Citroen Xsara water tank/radiator has loads of oil in (No water - have to re-fill and flush every week) - theres also a leak on the block/head (have to top-up oil every 2 weeks)- so im thinkin gasket. Would this be correct? If not, any other ideas welcome - just seems a bit strange with all the oil in the tank.

 

[Burnerman]

From the symptoms you describe, I'd say it was a very good bet indeed that the head gasket has blown in your car.
However, it is possible that the oil cooler has become perforated. This is usually a vessel that the oil filter screws on to (it doesn't look like a radiator at all) and there should be 2 water pipes connected to it. Failure here allows the coolant and oil to mix.
A garage could do a 'sniff' test for you - this is an analysis of the gas above the liquid in the expansion bottle, and products of combustion can be determined instantly.
John

 

[SparkoJon]

it is possible that the oil cooler has become perforated.

Ah, never thought of this. I'll have to pull it off at the weekend to check - at least then i can be sure either way.

thanks.

 

[Peter.N.]

As a test you could try removing the water pipes and connecting them together, it will take some time to get the oil out of the system but you should be able to tell if its improving any.

Peter