The Rover-Landers of BC

Checked the oil in the series 3 petrol today to discover that it is grey rather than the usual black of old oil, or golden of new oil colour. Also the level is up over the maximum line on the dipstick. Does this indicate a blown head gasket or other leak into the engine?

Larry

Sounds like coolant in the oil. Is the coolant low?

Coolant is right up to the level. Don at Rovalution suggests an oil and filter change to see if that solves the problem so will try that.
Larry

Hi Larry

I agree with Don change the oil and filter, also wash out the mushroom shaped breather on top of the valve cover and the one on top of the oil fill spout, (if your rover has these).
If your rover has the more modern PCV system it needs to be working correctly and not be plugged up.
Are you doing a lot of very short trips? With the wet conditions out side right now and short trips the oil can get really milky looking very fast.
The one other thing to check is to make sure your thermostat is the correct rover style and is not sticking open which would cause the engine to run cold and not burn off moisture.

Good luck keep an eye on the antifreeze level and do not panic yet things may be okay.

Victor 1962 Dormobile

Gentlemen:

I changed the oil and filter and just got back from a 5-mile drive to discover that there is definitely a grey-coloured scum on the end of the dipstick.
It is starting well, has good oil pressure, idles nicely, and runs cold. The coolant does not appear to be discoloured, but I never seen the oil look as it does.
It has the same thermostat as it has in the eight years I have had it and I suspect it is either seized open or does not exist because it runs so cold.
It is a daily driver, albeit short runs in a rural setting so it never really gets warmed up.
I have convinced myself that I have a blown head gasket and having just put $2,000 into the brakes I cannot afford another dime, even for further diagnosis.
I appreciate all and any further ideas, but am pretty pessimistic at this point.

Thanks, Larry

If it is running cold, then it could be condensation. I would fix the t. stat first and see what happens. $5 to $10...

A head gasket is maybe a $40 part for an OEM one and a couple of hours to do if you want to check. Very simple job to do yourself. Nothing to be scared of.

I think you'll be fine.

Get a thermostat. It's cheap and easy to swap. When you are sure that it is getting up to temperature, drain a liter of oil then put a liter of atf in for a bit. Have a good long hot run then change the oil.

If your oil pressure is good a bad head gasket would likely have oil going into the coolant just as much as the other way.

swamijake wrote:If your oil pressure is good a bad head gasket would likely have oil going into the coolant just as much as the other way.

Not really. There are a lot of places on the head for coolant to go into the push rod gallery and end up in the oil. There is a coolant port between each push rod.

There is only one pressurized oil passage through the head. It is not near a coolant passage

I actually don't have a lot of experience with blown head gaskets on the 2.25, but have dealt with one on a merc 2.5 diesel, volvo 2.3, chev 5.7, perkins 2.2, cletrac, and all of them had oil in the coolant and pressurized coolant system.

Even if Larry's head gasket is the culprit, I would very much recommend trying getting it up to temperature first before tearing into the head gasket.

Hi Again:

If I go the atf route should I change the oil filter again when I change the oil? And just to be reassured, what does atf accomplish, and we are talking automatic transmission fluid are we? Any particular brand,or grade?
Larry

Hi Larry,

ATF is basically 30 weight oil with a whole lot of detergent in it and a few anti corrosion additives. It will help clean out the gunk left in your engine, but it will be useless if the thermostat isn't working and getting up to temperature. You don't wan't to run with it in your oil for a long time, just enough to get the engine nice and hot.

And yes new filter as the gunk is going to end up somewhere.

And cheapo Dexron/Mercon from can tire is fine.