I am the proud owner of a totally original Rover 218 VVC coupe 1997 model year. Until recently this was the best car I have ever owned, however a problem has arisen and I need some guidance.

I have noticed that the water from the header / expansion tank keeps draining away and being completely emptied after a week or so, but the wierd thing is I can see no trace of where the water has gone i.e. nothing on drive, road or car park at work so its all a bit strange.

I have been advised by a garage that I need a new radiator as it is a bit scruffy and I agree that it is a bit of a mess, but dont want to commit to the repair until I have some reassurance that this will solve the issue.

Further details are that the cars temperature gauge has passed halfway on a few occassions and I have topped up tank. Most recently, Saturday before Christmas, gauge went passed midway and huge plumps of steam came out of the bonnet. Upon closer inspection later that day I saw a drip running at the bottom right hand corner of the engine block and this seemed to be dipping onto the exhaust, but the water has been topped up twice since and the steam has never reoccured, but there is a strange smell.

Has anyone got any thoughts on what this might be?

I am prepared for the worst, but hope for good news.

Cheers

WAZ1170

Have you checked your oil?Is it creamy/mayo like?

Shroon

No oil is clean as a whistle as far as I can tell and car has been fully serviced about six weeks ago when radiator was mentioned.

No second thoughts I have just checked the oil and the water tank and there does appear to be some sort of creamy substance in both. I suspect water and oil have mixed, but my knowledge is limited so does anyone have advice?

Sounds ;ike you are probably suffering from head gasket failure

What happens now. Is this a massively expensive job? Does anyone know anyone in the Coventry area / Midlands who could help?

Duplicate thread - please don't post repeat threads on the same subject.