Yet another head gasket question!
Turbo Mini Forums

Finally got the Midget running this weekend only to find my oil decided to turn into cream.
Took off the head and found that I have unintended water injection!
No1 cylinder was full of water and a smaller amount had found its way into cylinders 2 and 3.

I used a BK450 gasket torqued to 55 lbs/ft in the correct manner and which on inspection does not look damaged in any way.
I have only run the engine in the garage so there was very little opportunity to build up boost so can't really see this as being a factor.

There doesn't appear to be any cracking of the water channels in the head as far as I can make out.
I don't really want to get the head skimmed if possible as I'd like to not raise the CR any further but I may not have a choice on this matter.

Has anyone had a similar issue or can think of why I may have had this problem?
All opinions will be gratefully received.

Hoped to get the car ready for May as we may get another 2 weeks of sunshine this year before it starts raining in June.

Gareth.

Hello

How much cream is there? What oil are you using?

Not too much really but enough to show all was not right. Which is why I decided to take the head off and found No1 cylinder full of water.

If there are no cracks inthe head and the gasket has not leaked the only other option seems to be a crack in the bore - not very likely and not a nice thought.

Has the engine stood without antifreeze at any time ?.

did you remove the bottom hose before pulling the head?
and are you using duckhams oil? (sp?)
always had problems with that oil and rocker cover mayo

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

Where was the creamy oil?

Was there smoke/steam from the exhaust when it was running?

In the 13's at last!.. Just

Hi, I'm fairly confident that the bores are good. I have a suspicion that the head gasket was not sealing properly but not sure why as yet,
I have heard in the past that some of the BK450 head gaskets did have problems but I don’t what the details were.

In the 13's at last!.. Just

I'm using Miller's oil. The emulsified oil was all around the rockers and running down the push rods. I haven't drained the sump as yet but I suspect the water has reached there as well. I am going to check that tomorrow.

Sorry but I'm getting my replies a bit out of sinc.
The gasket does look good and that is my problem. I can't see an obvious failure point.

Sorry One Eyed Lizard, I just grasped your idea. I hadn't considered that my removing the head was the cause of the water in the bores. I did have emulsified oil arould the rocker area though and when I removed the push rods I had to wipe the "cream" off them.
How else woulld the water and oil be mixing and should I be looking elsewhere rather than the head gasket?

The "cream" often referred to as matonnaise can be simply the result of the engine not being warmed up properly, to boil off the water (condensation) that accumulates. Duckhams oil seems to be particularly prone to this.It will only occur when the car has been used regularly for short runs, which does not seem to be the case in your situation ?.

Take the head to an engine machine shop now that it's off & have it pressure tested, it may be old & porous or someone could have got too close to the waterways when they gas flowed it or it could be cracked.

The problem is most likely to be condensation though, I have a rebuilt project engine fitted to my Allegro (1293 A+ etc) which I have had several hours/days of static running while I program the ECU, the oil catch tank has half a cup of clear water in it!!

The breather hoses had clear water/condensation in them as well when I disconnected them.

The head gasket needs to be a turbo gasket, fit a turbo manifold gasket as well. Mini Spares supply upgraded gaskets for turbo engines www.minispares.com get a catalogue to see what you else you need.

Sounds like there's nothing wrong at all.

Just get a dk450 head gasket set and put it back together with some fresh oil and coolant.

In the 13's at last!.. Just

You may be right, I've just ordered a new BK450, Best I give that go first and if it doesn't work out I'll get the head tested as Laurence suggested. I still think that condensation can't really be the answer. The engine hasn't run for more than an hour tops but I hope I'm wrong on this one.

I have often found water contaminated oil in the rocker cover with no apparent water loss when I checked the radiator. If an engine is left sat for a period of time the oil residue in the rocker cover and breathers will soak up moisture.

Also I have had head gaskets where the layers have seperated and the compression rings have failed on multiple cylinders.

Own the day

HI GUYS....

my question is a bit out of place here, but since your talking about cylinder heads and that.. can someone please tell me the correct torque setting to tighten the cylinder head with... have looked everywhere and can find anything....

cheers

50 lbs

133.5 bhp 123 lb torque 116mph @6640rpm 9.5psi
Shakespear RWYB 14.995 91.83mph

The Metro Turbo is quoted as 55 ft/lb.
There's some useful data here:

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

thanks guys, saving my ass yet again..

i usually do them 50 dry and no retorque.

133.5 bhp 123 lb torque 116mph @6640rpm 9.5psi
Shakespear RWYB 14.995 91.83mph