Hello again guys,

I`m having one of those moments where I fix one thing on my Coop and then 3 other things go wrong... I just don`t know what to do anymore as I already donated half of my organs for parts and garages...

- First there was the white smoke, the "bubble symptom" and the disappearing coolant... Mechanic diagnose : Head Gasket gone!
*So we did the painful Head Gasket procedure...

- Then the Mechanic found out that the radiator was burst really bad...
*So we did the impossible thanks to Joe from FCSS and got a fairly good condition used Radiator...

- Then the clutch started slipping bad in 4/5 gear...
*So I ordered a new clutch + slave cylinder... Not fitted yet...

- Then because of the persistent damn white smoke in the morning witch my current mechanic states that is absolutely normal, I decided to check for the bubble symptom again (thinking that my mechanic might not had the Head Gasket sealed right - witch happened to me before on my Fiat Punto 1.2 Sporting with a different mechanic) and what do I notice? - Lovely little bubbles happily popping in my expansion tank coming down from the black hose connected to the tank.....
*So I said to myself its time to get a second opinion! So I went to the next mechanic in town with very good reputation and explained to him what happened...

1) The white smoke in the morning?
Mechanic : My best guess would be the valve seals! It might be the turbo seals but I would say its the valve seals, if you are getting that massive amount of white smoke in the morning for the 10/15 mins... Definitely seals anyway!

2) The bubbles in the expansion tank?
Mechanic : My best guess would be the Head Gasket.
Me : But the Head Gasket is just being done!
Mechanic : Then my friend you have a tiny hairline crack in either Cylinder head or Engine block! As these Engine Blocks are prone to cracking because they are made from aluminium.
Me : Cried like a little girl, jumped in my car and drove off with my newly replaced plastic heart broken.....

Pending work to be done:

- Clutch
- Valve seals (cylinder head out job) as far as I understood
- Engine block crack

Estimated cost for the three : Fully functioning, healthy heart.

So.. Sorry for the long poem but.. What does a man do in a situation like this.. Half of my organs are already sold and replaced by artificial...

I do love that car and willing to do everything to keep her.

Cheers

Half-human Ivan

I think you need to find a new mechanic. The block is cast iron, not aluminum. Unless you're running massive amounts of torque you ain't cracked that! I'm also pretty sure the head is quite strong.

I'm willing to bet you have a small leak that'll explain the bubbles.

Any good with a set of spanners?

Ivan,
the most obvious (and cheapest) explanation for the bubbles is a leak in a water pipe. Does the water level drop? Buy a nice set of silicone hoses and the problem could be solved.

Good luck,
Tim

You have answered your own question.

And as I post many times about head gaskets,it probably wasn't that initially but maybe now,from a poor repair.

The new machanic decision has been made! Enough is enough...
I`m willing to try whatever you suggest to be done with the set of spanners?




Yes, Tim the water level does drop its down to the MIN at the moment...



I do apologize, JBT for the noobish, repeated questions but.. I`m only 23 well 24 since yesterday and this is my first Turbo petrol car and I guess I do worry and panic a lot about her...

Ivan.

If it's a second car then it may be worth you tackling the issue if you're confidant with a set if spanners. However as there's question over how good your mechanic did the job it may need a professional to put it right.

I still think you may have a small leak in the pipe work for the coolant system.

What about posting up for local coopsters/recommended garages? Maybe someone with a fresh pair of eyes might spot something? If it is as simple as changing the pipes then you could tackle the job, with plenty of patience.