Slartibartfast Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Is your coolant low? Are you having to top it up frequently? If the head gasket is leaking coolant into the engine and making a mess, that coolant has to come from somewhere. If the coolant level is stable, then the schmoo is probably just from condensation on the cap. If it's not losing coolant, and the oil on the dipstick still looks like oil, I'd chalk it up to it being cold as hell outside and just keep an eye on it. One test I've seen online is to take an oil sample (could just be a few drips off the dipstick for all it matters) and heat it in a spoon or something with a lighter. If it's just oil, it'll get hot and runny and that's all. If it's got coolant in it, it should pop and spit as the moisture flashes to steam. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjotrainbrain Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 36 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said: One test I've seen online is to take an oil sample (could just be a few drips off the dipstick for all it matters) and heat it in a spoon or something with a lighter. If it's just oil, it'll get hot and runny and that's all. If it's got coolant in it, it should pop and spit as the moisture flashes to steam. That's a handy trick! Just make sure your neighbors don't see you holding a lighter under a spoon haha. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathyDude17 Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Slartibartfast said: Is your coolant low? Are you having to top it up frequently? If the head gasket is leaking coolant into the engine and making a mess, that coolant has to come from somewhere. If the coolant level is stable, then the schmoo is probably just from condensation on the cap. If it's not losing coolant, and the oil on the dipstick still looks like oil, I'd chalk it up to it being cold as hell outside and just keep an eye on it. One test I've seen online is to take an oil sample (could just be a few drips off the dipstick for all it matters) and heat it in a spoon or something with a lighter. If it's just oil, it'll get hot and runny and that's all. If it's got coolant in it, it should pop and spit as the moisture flashes to steam. Have yet to check the level of the coolant, I can do that when I get home next week, or do that test. Thanks for the help! Edited February 8, 2019 by PathyDude17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onespiritbrain Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 That pic I posted was accompanied by loosing about a gallon of coolant per 100-150 miles, bubbling coolant reservoir, and swollen coolant hoses. Also you can’t see it well in the picture but that goop has a noticeable green tint to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMongoose Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Hmmmm,m im losing coolant. My oil looks fine except for a bit of yellowish goop in the filler cap (it does NOT look like headgasket milkshake oil). On the dipstick it looks clean and normal. Oil level is consistent since camcover was tightened (WIN!) about 90% driving is short distance. no puddles etc underneath. the mechanic used lucas engine flush last service. Running 100% synthetic. Also flushed the coolant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now