Intermittent blue smoke and a gurgling heater !

[Blackbird]

Ah my first post here. The question i have concerns some blue smoke. I have a 2.4 TD auto. It starts fine and runs fine however a month or so ago I had the Japanese coolant replaced with Glycol (blue UK) antifreeze. Seemed like a good Idea at the time. Since then I have noticed the heater gurgling from time to time. Low coolant I thought. I have tried topping it up but theres no space for any more. Then yesterday I noticed some blue smoke coming from the exhaust when it had been idling for about 2 minutes after a 30 minute drive to work. I thought it might be the head or its gasket but the top hose on the radiator is quite soft, no coolant pumping out from header tank and no obvious loss of fluids from anywhere. Tonight I drove for 20 minutes and let it idle after that. Blue smoke again appeared but after 5 minutes of idling. This stops as soon as I drive and came back when stuck in very slow traffic. No obvious loss of oil or coolant just the gurgle and blue smoke after idling for a few minutes.
So if you have read this far (thanks), any idea whats wrong or a remedy. Could an airlock in the heater be linked to my smoke? Wish I had left the original coolant in now.....

[TonyN]

An airlock is 99% chance of being the gurgling, as the heater fills up as the motor pumps water, insteasd of being already full of water, you may need to 'Burp' it as you fill it. Also check BOTH heaters are on hot when filling.

[NiftyNev]

The blue smoke after idling could be worn Valve Stem Seals.

Neville

[JimL]

I have tried topping it up but theres no space for any more.

That bottle isnt to be filled to the brim. Theres a MAX fill line about halfway up.

[Guest]

I reckon that the blue smoke is probably some oil clearing out through the crankcase ventilation pipe either from the turbo seals (most of them leak a bit) or from valve stem seals like Nev said, or from rings on the way out.

As long as you have good oil pressure and no nasty noises I wouldn't worry too much. If you floor it do you get oil smoke or not, do you get oil smoke on the overrun (Floor it and then let it drop back to idle.

Get some Wynns stop smoke additive, might help.

Only top up the radiator through the radiator cap not the expansion bottle.

Gurgling will be an air lock or the water pump starting to fail - most likely an airlock. Run the engine with the radiator cap off for about 15 minutes from cold, squeeze all the hoses you can get at a few times, this may well clear it.

Cheers

[Blackbird]

Thanks to you all for your suggestions. I dont get blue smoke at any time other then when it is hot and idling! I am fairly sure about the the gurgling being an air lock and will try running it from cold with radiator cap off to see if that bleeds the system. Still not sure about the blue smoke though. Cant see it being valve stem oil seals as there would be blue smoke when starting up after its been standing a while but time will tell. When I find the cause i will share the "news".
Thanks.

[Blackbird]

So much for gurgling.....

Well the head gasket let go after 4 days. Where is the best place to buy a full head gasket set. The garage think I may be able to get away with the head being skimmed which brings me to the next question. Do the gaskets come in different thicknesses? Do i need new head bolts and are there any tips for replacing the gasket? Special tools or recommended proceedures Torque settings. Phew that was more than one question....
Thanks.

[Guest]

Get the head checked while it is off for cracks - not always visible. Also get it checked for straightness.

You can get a head set from www.milneroffroad.co.uk and a new set of stretch bolts or even better get one from Stevo on this Forum.

http://www.yotasurf.co.uk/members_pa...evo/index.html

The gaskets do come in different thicknesses although you normally only get the thinnest one I think as standard. Only special tools you will need are a torque wrench, a set of ratchet spanners from halfords makes the whole thing a lot easier (especialy the 12mm and 14mm ones).

You will alos need a normal multipoint type socket (14mm) to do the head bolts.

Cheers

[Blackbird]

Thanks for the info. Parts ordered from Milner. I will wait and see if I need a new head, fingers crossed.
Steve.

[marky]

Well the head gasket let go after 4 days. Where is the best place to buy a full head gasket set. The garage think I may be able to get away with the head being skimmed which brings me to the next question. Do the gaskets come in different thicknesses? Do i need new head bolts and are there any tips for replacing the gasket? Special tools or recommended proceedures Torque settings. Phew that was more than one question....
Thanks.

There has been no reports of headgasket failure on a 2.4 surf. So expect head cracked across the valves, STEVO can supply all the parts you need at a very good price.