Headgasket ?

[jameswkr]

Just got the S2 back on the driveway with smoke pouring from the exhaust ( and with a helpful lady policewoman following me ! ). On tickover there are droplets of water coming out of the pipes and it smells acrid. I assume the HG has gone but do not understand why. Its been a lot colder than last night and the car has been fine.
The coolant header tank is not showing any sign of bubbling - are there any other checks I can do before handing her over to the professionals ?

Can anyone give me a likely estimate for costs to get her back on the road please ?? TIA James.

[djh]

how often do you use the car? has it been parked up a lot? and how much smoke? 3b/aby?

[Sleeper_Avant]

compression test it and do a sniff test if you can, only way to be sure as sometimes it wont pressurise.

sniff test is a blue coloured fluid and if theres any exhaust gasses in the water system when its running will turn green or yellow.

alternativley take the car to garage with emissions tester and put the probe in the header tank (AWAY FROM THE WATER!!!!) and seal the top so NO air gets in, HC readings should be no higher than 6PPM, if it is then combustion mixture is finding its way into water system.

If it has got a headgasket failure then be careful it doesnt fill a cylnder up over night, take the plugs out then you may be able to see water in the cylnder while plugs are out, cranking with plugs in could cause it to hydrolock

Sean.

[jameswkr]

Thanks guys. Car is used daily. Its an ABY with 156 K.

[s2_bo]

I always foud that there is much more smoke and moisture during clod weather anyway so maybe it's not the HG.

You can also check it by letting it get a little warm, then turn off and slowly open the header tank to release preusre.. Then close it again and turn the car back on for 10 secs.
Check the header thank again, it shouldn't be under pressure but if it is then its most likely combustion gasses in the coolant presuring it..
Also leaving the tank open while the car is ideling can show up air bubbles in the coolant tank if the HG is gone.
If the system is properly bled there shouldnt be any bubbles coming up.
is it overheating also?

[jameswkr]

Had the plugs out this AM and all looks normal. Started and ran fine for about an hours driving with several stops to check coolant ( no bubbling) and exhaust. It still "smells" odd but there is no perceptible coolant loss and it is not overheating. No moisture coming from the exhaust either.

I am baffled ( and very relieved), but do not understand why there was such a big problem yesterday.....any ideas ??

[simon20vq]

Turbo on its way out? That can give clouds of white smoke similar to a HG issue. But would be suprised that it just cleared? Check a boost pipe into the intercooler for excess oil.

[driftin jo]

How long a run did it have ? If it was just short run and the exhaust did not get hot then it could just water vapour condensation on a cold exhaust pipe, most people don't realise how much water there is from combustion.