MG ZR 1.4. Head gasket gone or not?

[ajb85]

I've bought and sold a handful of ZRs in the past and have had heads go, usually with many tell-tale symptoms as they're on their way out.

The most recent one I bought I've kept hold of for my partner to use, it was cheap and is an 05 car with only 46k miles.
I inspected the car to some degree when I bought it. The coolant was mid way on the tank and didn't use any during the time I used it. Then last week she complained that the heater wasn't getting particularly hot.. oh dear. I've used it and indeed it doesn't get red-hot but warms the cabin suitably. Opening the header tank it DOES appear that oil and water has emulsified. The car however runs absolutely spot on, smooth, quiet, no lumpy idle or misfire. In fact quite possibly the sweetest K-series I've experienced. There is no white smoke even in this cold weather. No mayo under the filler car or dip stick. It climbs to normal operating temperature after ten minutes and happily sits there, I left the car idling on the drive and it doesn't creep up.

Would this point to anything else? Or is the head on its way out?

Any pointers gratefully received.
Thanks,

[stevensdrs]

Any possibility the head gasket was replaced before you purchased it and the coolant system was not properly flushed, hence the oil in the coolant?

[ajb85]

stevensdrs said:

Any possibility the head gasket was replaced before you purchased it and the coolant system was not properly flushed, hence the oil in the coolant?

Don't think so. The coolant tank was pretty clean when I first bought it a month ago (the coolant didn't look particularly fresh, so don't think the HG and just been replaced). I suspect now that there is emulsification in the tank, the HG must have gone. Given how well the car otherwise runs, how long do you think this could be left for?

[onyx39]

If you join Mg-rover.org, they can put you in touch with some very good mobile mechanics, who will be able to diagnose this, and often won't charge.