Head gasket gone ?

[MYKEY]

I think the head gasket might have gone on my wifes cooper s, i thought it had been using a fair bit of oil and with no sign of any where the car is parked i was not surprised to find this when i looked under the filler cap.

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What do you guys think gasket gone or some other possible explanation, i am no mechanic but from what i have read/heard in the past this looks like the mayo substance people describe.

Bloody things only done about 17k as well ,just out of warranty 6 months ago ...typical, told my wife to buy a Mitzi colt ralliart.

Thanks
Mike

[Nick Mann]

does look quite possible. Have you looked inside the radiator cap?

One thing - short journeys can lead to condensation forming on the underside of the cap and giving you a false impression of HG failure.

[lancerevo3]

when was oil last changed?

[Owen87]

No mechanic, but i have seen other motors that have had the same white gunky stuff under the oil cap and there head gaskets shortly went! How old is the mini?

[eddy]

that could be just condensation in the rocker box qhite a phew cars do that if theyre only used for short drives

[MYKEY]

Thanks guys

Nick, no i must admit i have not looked inside the rad cap, is there anything specific i should be looking for ?
thinking about it the condensation due to short journeys might be the answer

Mark, i think it was changed about 9 months ago in line with the cars service computer thing

Owen, its a 2007 model so not that old really

Eddy, Yep i think you have a good point there too many short runs to the shops

Thanks for the advice chaps sounds like i was thinking the worst and as has been said lots of short journeys causing condensation...told you i was no mechanic

[lancerevo3]

check is there oil mixing with coolant if not maybe it just likes to burn oil ,not uncommon in some new cars

[mike74]

I'd take it for a really good, hard blast & then check it when you get back. If its still as bad then its probably the HG gone

[Nick Mann]

When removing the fax cap you basically want ti check for the same thing - water/oil cross contamination. It has to be bad to get an emulsion in the coolant though. Look for the rainbow effect of oil floating on water to start with. But if the car does do lots of short runs and the coolant/oil levels are okay, then taking it for a good run is potentially safe and should evaporate off the oil.