Busso V6 / 147 GTA - Gunk in expansion tank?
Discussion
Hi all
I'm looking to buy a friends 03 GTA soon but have one reservation - when looking at the car earlier today I noticed a reasonable amount of 'gunk' in the coolant expansion tank, which looks like the emulsion you get during a head gasket failure.
My friend (who I totally trust not to even consider ripping anyone off) says that it it's been like it for the last 6 or so years.
There is no sign of Gunk on the underside of the oil cap, or condensation of any kind.
The car has been serviced regularly at Alfa Workshop. A number of years ago they did a compression test which the car passed with flying colours.
The service invoices for the same period state that there is a very slow oil weep on the rear right sump gasket, but has never been replaced.
The car has done less than 2,000 miles a year since then, so is barely used.
It uses no noticeable oil between services and the fluid levels never drop.
There was a small amount of water exit the exhaust after startup but this stopped, so fully suspect it's just condensation and standing water in the system from where it's been unused. There was no oily residue on the pipes.
Any suggestions? Could it just be because it's been used rarely and for short journeys?
Thanks
Will
I'm looking to buy a friends 03 GTA soon but have one reservation - when looking at the car earlier today I noticed a reasonable amount of 'gunk' in the coolant expansion tank, which looks like the emulsion you get during a head gasket failure.
My friend (who I totally trust not to even consider ripping anyone off) says that it it's been like it for the last 6 or so years.
There is no sign of Gunk on the underside of the oil cap, or condensation of any kind.
The car has been serviced regularly at Alfa Workshop. A number of years ago they did a compression test which the car passed with flying colours.
The service invoices for the same period state that there is a very slow oil weep on the rear right sump gasket, but has never been replaced.
The car has done less than 2,000 miles a year since then, so is barely used.
It uses no noticeable oil between services and the fluid levels never drop.
There was a small amount of water exit the exhaust after startup but this stopped, so fully suspect it's just condensation and standing water in the system from where it's been unused. There was no oily residue on the pipes.
Any suggestions? Could it just be because it's been used rarely and for short journeys?
Thanks
Will
They all get brown and discoloured. My gtv one is horrible, got it cleaned last time it was in for a service since they're not made anymore for the V6 , although I think EB Spares may have commissioned some to be made recently.
However, well worth getting an Alfa specialist to look it over and do another compression test to be sure. Sure your mate would understand.
However, well worth getting an Alfa specialist to look it over and do another compression test to be sure. Sure your mate would understand.
Edited by george123 on Sunday 23 October 20:01
davebem said:
On the cf3 V6s the head gasket on the rear bank can very slowly weap, possibly caused by the extra manifold cats. Id flush the coolant, fit a new tank and see how quickly (or if) it returns.
I have the same engine in an older Alfa (Alfetta GTV6) and just replaced the coolant tank; it took numerous flushes to get it running clearer. no problem with the engine or the car! Mine's been pretty filthy for years. It's not the sort of mayonnaise gunk you would get from a head-gasket failure, more brown/black deposits that are much harder. I would have thought these are more from corrosion deposits, hard water, and the break-down of the anti-freeze.
In my experience you would need to see gunk in the oil filler cap, and even that may not be conclusive. Car's only run on short journey's can create quite a bit of gunk at the filler cap, and still be perfectly fine.
A word of caution on replacing the expansion tank on the 147 GTA - some of the aftermarket parts are not that good, and can start to leak quickly. Might be worth cleaning up the original one.
In my experience you would need to see gunk in the oil filler cap, and even that may not be conclusive. Car's only run on short journey's can create quite a bit of gunk at the filler cap, and still be perfectly fine.
A word of caution on replacing the expansion tank on the 147 GTA - some of the aftermarket parts are not that good, and can start to leak quickly. Might be worth cleaning up the original one.
z06tim said:
Mine's been pretty filthy for years. It's not the sort of mayonnaise gunk you would get from a head-gasket failure, more brown/black deposits that are much harder. I would have thought these are more from corrosion deposits, hard water, and the break-down of the anti-freeze.
In my experience you would need to see gunk in the oil filler cap, and even that may not be conclusive. Car's only run on short journey's can create quite a bit of gunk at the filler cap, and still be perfectly fine.
A word of caution on replacing the expansion tank on the 147 GTA - some of the aftermarket parts are not that good, and can start to leak quickly. Might be worth cleaning up the original one.
EB Spares have shiny, new ones for £24.00 for a 147! Half the price of GTV one In my experience you would need to see gunk in the oil filler cap, and even that may not be conclusive. Car's only run on short journey's can create quite a bit of gunk at the filler cap, and still be perfectly fine.
A word of caution on replacing the expansion tank on the 147 GTA - some of the aftermarket parts are not that good, and can start to leak quickly. Might be worth cleaning up the original one.
http://ebspares.co.uk/parts/EB3/EB8163.cfm
george123 said:
EB Spares have shiny, new ones for £24.00 for a 147! Half the price of GTV one
http://ebspares.co.uk/parts/EB3/EB8163.cfm
Good tip - thanks George. I may have to order one of those!http://ebspares.co.uk/parts/EB3/EB8163.cfm
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff