Cream in radiator cap

TTM · Feb 13, 2012

Hi all,
The Mille has a bit of creamy substance on the rubber seal for the main radiator filler neck, and also a bit on the cap for the coolant top-up tank. There isn't loads, and the engine oil isn't creamy, only the two coolant caps. Also, a bit of coolant leaks from between the thermostat valve and the top hose (see here, parts 9 & 15)

Has anyone had this before? Bit worried it might be head gasket

Thought I'd ask on here incase it could be anything else. It's a 99 Mille if that helps. It's not really had a long run in ages - I only use it to go 8 miles to work which is 95% through town.

Thanks in advance :thumbup

lonner · Feb 13, 2012

never a good sign in the water side bud so you ,ay need to investigate this.

if it was creamy in the oil filler id say short journey syndrome and a good run would clear it .

may be the water pump seal etc

TTM · Feb 13, 2012

Thanks for replying lonner.

I forgot to mention, I changed the coolant a month or two ago from blue to pink (the new pink stuff is the Halfords ready mixed 5 year stuff, it didn't say it was incompatible with any engine types as I know the Mille engine is aluminium or something). I can't remember if there was cream in there before I changed it though.

I just flushed the old coolant out with a hose, then filled up with the new pink stuff with it on the side stand.

supertedlover · Feb 14, 2012

Halfords pre mix. You must be minted. Even so the antifreeze isnt at fault (although pre mix is usually biased by more water than antifreeze). Clean it up give it a run and see if it comes back. If it does you have an oil contamination from somewhere and it will need checking out. Give AP a call 01827 285500, they will help you.

lonner · Feb 14, 2012

the pink is fine and ive used it too for car van bikes etc

TTM · Feb 14, 2012

supertedlover said:
Halfords pre mix. You must be minted.

:biggrin It was being funny a while ago (doing the small leak thing which it's still doing) and I wanted to be sure the new coolant was right to rule it out. I do admit it is a rip off though, but it was a Sunday and I needed it that day.

I've gone to work on it today and it's running fine, no leaks from that join - it only seems to do that every once in a while. I'll check the filler neck tonight for the mayonnaise.

There isn't any coloured smoke coming out of the exhaust - I even checked it in my mirror when riding. Could it be one of the seals on the water pump? It seems funny that I get a dribble from that area and the coolant has a tiny bit of oil in it, but no coolant in the oil.

nikfubar1 · Feb 14, 2012

Pretty sure the pump has two seals to stop the oil & water mixing & if one of the seals has gone there is a drain hole on the pump & whatevers coming out of it will tell you which seal has gone :dunno

I used to use the Halfords pink stuff :biggrin but changed to Putoline ready mixed coolant & there's so little colour in it you can't see how much is in the expansion bottle :roll

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