water in cylinder 2

[surfergirl]

Hi Folks,
Fired up the Van today only to find white smoke and rough running, strange cus it was fine on friday!
Checked the plugs and found water in No.2 cylinder, other cylinders are fine, oil is a strange colour and the radiator is low on water. Is this classic blown head gasket between the cylinders? Any other ideas before I take the head off would be great.

Thanks
Allie

[dalebrignall]

it sounds like the head gasket especially if your oil is now like mayo

[surfergirl]

Thanks for the reply,
the oil on the dipstick isnt frothy just lighter colour than normal, but there is mayo inside the oil filler.

[simmitc]

Head gasket - most likely yes. Classic "between the cylinders" - no. It sounds like water leaking in to the oil. With any luck it will be only the gasket; but you need to drain the existing oil, check and change change the gasket, and then change the filer, thoroughly flush the engine, and then fresh oil and water.

[bmcecosse]

Gasket leak - water to cylinder - or a crack in the block or head........ Off with it's head.

[surfergirl]

I see ! any way of finding the crack other than looking. A cracked block sounds a bit terminal, is this repairable?
Thanks for the help
Allie

[simmitc]

Cracked block is possible, but don't cross that bridge until you come to it. Symptoms also suggest gasket, so as BMC says. take off the head and see what is happening. A gasket is only £4.50 plus a couple of hours labour - do you feel comfortable with doing that yourself? As long as you have the manual and a few tools, you should be fine.

[surfergirl]

Thanks, fine doing the gasket, just the local car parts shops in this end of cornwall will only sell a decoke kit. So Ill have to get just the gasket online and wait afew days for delivery. A bypass hose would be good aswell i should think.

[bmcecosse]

Most autoparts places will sell just the gasket - but get two anyway - so you have a 'spare' in stock......

[surfergirl]

Touch wood job done. Re-tightened the head and checked the valves and so far the white smoke has gone.
Thanks for the help.

[bmcecosse]

Hope so! Was there any sign of damage/leakage to the old gasket?