Oil in water

[gruffalo]

I am thinking pump seals, what do others think?

If pumps can they be removed with the engine in the car?

[ukkid35]

What are the exact symptoms?

A little mayonnaise in the oil filler in winter is not an issue, that's just water vapour condensing.

Only oil or coolant loss is an issue.

Either is a major failure issue, assume £5k bill, or £1k parts if DIY

Hopefully you have nothing to wory about

[gruffalo]

Oil visible in the coolant expansion bottle.

Car runs beautifully.

[steve320ise]

Hi, if the pumps have to come out its the engine out first Im afraid,

[gruffalo]

I thought it was.

I hope it is the pumps and a seal has gone and not the head gaskets or a damaged head.

There is no water in the oil just oil in the water with a slight case of Mayo in the expansion bottle.

I may drain the cooling system down over the next day or so, clean and refill to see if it recurs and if so I guess it will be off to STR8SIX to pull the engine.

[Cerbhd]

Have this on mine at the moment. Been told head gaskets and quoted £ 3500ish but this also includes some other bits. Going in at the end of Jan.

[gruffalo]

Well some good news, it seems that a little oil getting into the water is quite normal with the copper head gaskets, no need for any major work just flush the cooling system a couple of times a year.

It seems this was common place on the racing AJP8 engined cars as while the copper head gaskets work really well with the wired liners they do not seal so well between the oil and water ways.

[Jhonno]

gruffalo said:

Well some good news, it seems that a little oil getting into the water is quite normal with the copper head gaskets, no need for any major work just flush the cooling system a couple of times a year.

It seems this was common place on the racing AJP8 engined cars as while the copper head gaskets work really well with the wired liners they do not seal so well between the oil and water ways.

That is interesting!

[FarmyardPants]

A bit of oil in the coolant is good for the water pump, too.

[ClassicChimaera]

I suppose as long as there's no water in the oil then it's going to be fine.