Blown head gasket

807, Sep 18, 2:52pm
Can I ( or should I ) keep driving ? Older car, virtuously worthless, Oil in radiator, but goes ok . ran it idling for 20 mins or so without it overheating. Is there an additive remedy ( will only be temporary, I realise, until eventual death ! )
msigg, Sep 18, 3:06pm
Well yes it will keep going for a while, depends whats actualy wrong with it, do the math and as you say if not worth it then just run till it dies. just don't go too far out of your way, further to tow back., keep oil and water in boot.
tamarillo, Sep 18, 3:46pm
No additive will work if it's blown and oil in radiator. If anything it might gum up radiator and make it worse!
petermcg, Sep 18, 6:16pm
If leaking oil into the radiator is what its doing then keep an eye on your oil level, and it will not overheat because of this.
tgray, Sep 19, 6:26am
There is a product sold at Supercheap Auto that is specifically designed for cars that can run for 20 mins without overheating. It's called "Rislone head gasket fix". The bottle says it is a permanent repair.
It is one of the few additives, whereby you do not have to drain the system, but simply pour it straight in.
Will cost you around $70, but I would definitely give it a shot.
kazbanz, Sep 19, 7:07am
other than some oil in the radiator do you have any symptoms of a blown head gasket?
jmma, Sep 19, 7:08am
Is it an auto?
gpg58, Sep 19, 7:14am
+1

ie, are you sure oil is from engine, not auto's oil cooler?
Your auto will not last long with water in it.
phillip.weston, Sep 19, 9:52am
I had an '89 Galant that had a leaking head gasket between an oil gallery and the water jacket. Compression was still high and even and there was no coolant in the oil, just oil sludge building up under the cap every few days. Was a manual. I ran it like that for a few weeks before finding the time to pull the head off and replace the gasket. Engine went on for another 10,000kms until it ran a bottom end bearing because too much was shaved off the head when it was sent to the machine shop (it wasn't warped but they took some off it anyway).
lugee, Sep 19, 10:16am
Did it have a bit more snot for those 10,000km?
gazzat22, Sep 19, 10:33am
Like buubles in the radiator when motor running.
phillip.weston, Sep 19, 11:24am
Just! it was a 4G37 carb 1.8 SOHC. not really a power house to begin with and at some 370,000+ kms it didn't really like revs either.
807, Sep 19, 1:30pm
yes, it is an auto . 1993 Daihatsu Charade
jmma, Sep 19, 3:38pm
Oh, OK a powerful beast (o:
Have you checked to see what the auto oil looks like?
807, Sep 19, 8:53pm
will check auto fluid tomorrow .
807, Sep 20, 2:43pm
auto fluid is red. sump oil, sadly, is coffee colour .
phillip.weston, Jun 1, 5:19am
uh oh you have a BHG for sure then. Thankfully those engines are a doddle to fix and should be able to be done cheaply given the head isn't cracked or warped.