Oil in Expansion tank

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49532
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6163
Contact:

Post by CitroJim »

A little crack in the head or block somewhere then Peter, but not dramatic as it must have been well away from the combustion chambers.

Indeed, an engine will run like this for years. K-Seal may help but the problem is that oil at 50psi is pushing against water at 15psi tops so any coolant sealers may not be very effective as it is being asked to work in reverse.

It's a very good point too about a previous rad sealer application may be the cause. Lots of the cheaper and older formulations (Bars Leaks?) had a lot of soluble oil in them.

Note that any oil in the coolant will reduce the heat transfer capability of the system so the oil run-off exercise you describe, Peter, needs to be done frequently to avoid possible overheating.
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
mark230678
Posts: 83
Joined: 21 Feb 2010, 14:56
Location:
My Cars:

Post by mark230678 »

As a change to previous thread.
Its the coolant temp light that is contiuously on rather than the oil coolant???
Any other offers for this one
mark230678
Posts: 83
Joined: 21 Feb 2010, 14:56
Location:
My Cars:

Post by mark230678 »

Going to flush it out few times today to see what happens.
Just a bit curious about coolant light being constantly on now
Is there a fault with thermostat as well??
Will take that out to check
mark230678
Posts: 83
Joined: 21 Feb 2010, 14:56
Location:
My Cars:

Post by mark230678 »

Had another look today and began flushing the system.
Still oil coming through and i have no oil left in the oil filler, after putting 5 litres through it last week.
There is now greyish colour on dipstick.
Am i thinking headgasket now or cracked block.
Take it the oil cooler wouldnt do this...
Coolant light issue is from the connector on the top
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Post by Peter.N. »

If its the coolant level light that's on, that's because the sensor is contaminted with oil.

Are you saying that its lost a sumpful of oil? if so you have got a problem!

Peter
mark230678
Posts: 83
Joined: 21 Feb 2010, 14:56
Location:
My Cars:

Post by mark230678 »

Pretty much lost a sump.
Put 5 litres of oil in last week, whilst it was laid up and to see if oil came through cooler pipes.
Just drained sump now, probably 2 litres of oil first few 100 mls was water though.

Problem with head, cooler, block or gasket.
Which is most likely??????
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Post by Peter.N. »

If you have oil in the water as well you have a big leak there, could be the h/gasket but equally well a crack in the head or block. Does the engine run OK?
mark230678
Posts: 83
Joined: 21 Feb 2010, 14:56
Location:
My Cars:

Post by mark230678 »

Engine runs great.
No missing, no plumes of smoke granted last time i started it i was in the garage and it was a little smoky.
But sounds spot on
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Post by Peter.N. »

I fear a crack then :(
Post Reply