Normal oil build up?

Zep

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,283
If the coolant level has been stable since you stopped topping up, I get the feeling (from this distance!) that you will be ok.
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,631
Hi Chris, I seem to have missed your thread but Phil has been looking after you.

Here are my thoughts on coolant/mixing issues on your QP;

First and foremost the coolant tank is the first area that should be checked. They crack and are cheap and simple to replace. Look for coolant staining underneath and white stress fractures that open up and close depending upon the tanks temperature.

Rear hose/back of engine. Don’t tend to weep but total and instant failure (ask Stevo) resulting in disablement of the entire coolant system.

Heat exchanger. Situated under the plenum in the V of the block, this is a radiator that flows both oil and coolant in the same rad. Internal failure is common and results in oil and coolant mixing with no visible signs of leakage. Look for oil in your coolant (greasy white film) and vice versa.

Head gasket failure is extremely uncommon. A simple sniff test will prove any exhaust gasses in your coolant.

Radiators, uncommon unless damaged by a stone or the like.

Minor leaking. There is a complex network of pipes around the engine with no end of jubilee type clips. A good visual of them all is required and a pressure test is recommended. Get the car up to temperature so the thermostat is open and full flow is achieved. Remove the expansion cap (exercise extreme caution) attach your manual or air driven tester and charge the system to 15-20psi then wait 15 mins and look for coolant drop in the expansion tank and where it’s exiting.

Mayonaising. Coolant in the oil giving a thick white residue. Collects around the oil cap and underside of the cam covers. If the car has been sat for a while and a sniff test passed and the heat exchanger is good this is most certainly due to condensation and nothing to worry about. We see this a lot.

Hope this helps and you get your issue resolved painlessly.
 
Last edited:
ChrisQP09

ChrisQP09

Member
Messages
2,997
conaero said:
Hi Chris, I seem to have missed your thread but Phil has been looking after you.

Here are my thoughts on coolant/mixing issues on your QP;

First and foremost the coolant tank is the first area that should be checked. They crack and are cheap and simple to replace. Look for coolant staining underneath and white stress fractures that open up and close depending upon the tanks temperature.

Rear hose/back of engine. Don’t tend to weep but total and instant failure (ask Stevo) resulting in disablement of the entire coolant system.

Heat exchanger. Situated under the plenum in the V of the block, this is a radiator that flows both oil and coolant in the same rad. Internal failure is common and results in oil and coolant mixing with no visible signs of leakage. Look for oil in your coolant (greasy white film) and vice versa.

Head gasket failure is extremely uncommon. A simple sniff test will prove any exhaust gasses in your coolant.

Radiators, uncommon unless damaged by a stone or the like.

Minor leaking. There is a complex network of pipes around the engine with no end of jubilee type clips. A good visual of them all is required and a pressure test is recommended. Get the car up to temperature so the thermostat is open and full flow is achieved. Remove the expansion cap (exercise extreme caution) attach your manual or air driven tester and charge the system to 15-20psi then wait 15 mins and look for coolant drop in the expansion tank and where it’s exiting.

Mayonaising. Coolant in the oil giving a thick white residue. Collects around the oil cap and underside of the cam covers. If the car has been sat for a while and a sniff test passed and the heat exchanger is good this is most certainly due to condensation and nothing to worry about. We see this a lot.

Hope this helps and you get your issue resolved painlessly.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot, all very good advice. I'm not disregarding anything that you or Phil has said! At this point, not least for a few weeks, I cannot afford to have the Maser off the road or risk any potential issue being amplified. I will however have it looked at for reassurance when my schedule is less hectic, perhaps within 4 weeks. The potential for a split hose and the pressure test making potentially bad situation worst is not ideal at this present time.
 
ChrisQP09

ChrisQP09

Member
Messages
2,997
Ok @conaero car was sat for a fewdays, cold weather. Coolant level was where I left it approx 75% mark, opened it up and smelled very sweet (what coolant should smell like?). Coolant very clear blue with no indication of oil or oil film.

Oil cap starting to cream up again must be condensation! Smelled inside the rocker cover and just smelled of oil and petrol type smell. No real build up of creaminess inside the rocker cover as per original post in this thread. Despite being around 4-6c, little exhaust fumes and no white fumes at all.
 
ChrisQP09

ChrisQP09

Member
Messages
2,997
Took car out of a 200 mile round trip. Coolant level was about 1/4 inch below the max line or just under the mid crease of the tank and now it has dipped as per the pic. There is def a leak of some sort! I doubt the coolant is getting into the oil!

Is it possible that the car is spitting out what it doesn't want? Coolant level fine over a few weeks on short trips and appears to goes down this much after a good stretching of the legs.65220
 
Zep

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,283
I would be perfectly happy with that level, I would only top up if it was below minimum.

Keep using it and if it stays around there you are golden.
 
ChrisQP09

ChrisQP09

Member
Messages
2,997
Zep said:
I would be perfectly happy with that level, I would only top up if it was below minimum.

Keep using it and if it stays around there you are golden.
Click to expand...
As Im I, although I would love to know where its going!

Ill not top it up for a few weeks so gauge it
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zep
ChrisQP09

ChrisQP09

Member
Messages
2,997
Ok Ferrari Belfast have quoted me £130 p/h + VAT for determining the coolant leak. In the event that there is an issue, I would obvosuily like to pay more for the part rather than labor.

Would identifying a leak take longer than 2 hours labour?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.