Post head gasket change - milky oil
Turbo Mini Forums

Evening guys,

Recently changed the head gasket after impressive failure.

I did notice with the head off that there was some water on piston 1, which is where the gasket blew. head was nice and flat, so put it all back together after a good clean.

New oil in, good pressure at 60-65psi cold idle, and i've noticed its still fairly milky (after say 10 mile or so) - i'm going to drop it out for another change but a quick question: Is this something to worry about? will it clean up after a few changes or do i need to perform some kind of flush?

Am i potentially damaging bores, bearings etc?

First head gasket change, so apologies for stupid questions, tried the search button to no avail.

:)

It could just be a bit of left over moisture in the engine, it all depends on how well the old oil was flushed out, did you poor in any the rocker cover and let it drain straight out? How much mayo are we talking?

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Not loads of mayo, I was more bothered by the milky colour of the oil on the distick!

To be fair, when i drained the oil, it was cold as i couldn't warm the engine up, so its likely just mixed with the old oil still lingering in the block etc. Its not drinking any water (noticeably) so I don't think its blown again, its just left overs.

I'm probably over thinking it, but i'd just like some miles under my belt. Bloody things been in the garage since i bought it!

So - get it hot, drop the oil, change, run for a while and see how we're doing?

Is it normal to and a flush agent after doing an HG change?

Can get some pics up tomorrow if necessary.

when my head gasket went recently I emptied all milky oil out first, had the head cleaned up & checked etc. I put some old oil back in from my previous oil change along with some flushing agent and ran the engine on idle for 15-20 minutes then drained again and changed for fresh oil. Havent had any mayo or milky oil in the sump since...

What oil are you using?

20w50 but it's cheap stuff. Better to switch to a good brand?

I'm thinking another change with some flush might be a good idea then?

when my one when i just dropped the mayo cold put some cheep home brand oil in from the supermarket along with some oil flush let it idle till at operating temp went for a quick soft drive to clear out the sump/dif/gear set and spray some oil up the block drooped it filled with good oil job done

also you could take the filler cap off pull a clean rag tight across it like a jam jar and run it for a bit helps to vent moisture

Thanks guys, another oil change this weekend then with some oil flush.

Any reccomendations on the flush?

the reason I asked is that the Halfords stuff has given this issue in the past for a few others.

As Matty suggested, it could be as simple as some moinsture residue in the engine form the gasket. Give it a change.

Ah ok. Well it was the cheap stuff from the local motor factors.

I'll use it for the next change, then drop it out for some good stuff in 100 miles or so.

fingers crossed I don't blow the HG again, its bloody expensive buying all this oil!

Get the engine hot then drain the oil out, it drains easier as its thinner and it should help some of the water evaporate out.. Jack the passenger side of the car up to get every last bit out.

Then 1/2 fill the rocker cover up with new oil and let that drain through. That should get rid of most of the contaminated oil (apart from the galleries in the block).

Then just top up with new oil and keep an eye on it for the first few drives out.

EDIT: Oh yeah and obviously a new filter too! :)

Edited by matty on 6th Sep, 2012.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

thanks for your help guys, will report back after.

Just thought I'd round this one off - did the oil change on saturday, all now clean as a whistle.

Definitely a good tip from matty about pouring some oil through to clear it out. I ended up using a couple of litres until it ran clean, worked a treat.

All boosting lovely again, thanks for your help all!

:)