Blown Head Gasket? Mech opinions and advice please

[iluvbrownale]

Took the plunge on a T4 with 180,000kms. Had someone have a look at it for me, give it the ok. Seems they may have missed something as when I went to top the oil up there's water droplets inside the oil cap, some small bubbles on the dipstick and the dreaded white mayonnaise around the oil filler tube. The van doesn't overheat at all, it stayed bang on the middle for 2hrs at 110km/h no worries (although was a cold morning).

It's head gasket right?

If so, what should I budget for the repair - $2-2,500? There's a local VW specialist down my street (Dunham Auto Repair, Wollongong) so I'm hoping labour costs won't be (too) insane.

How bad would it be to keep driving it? (I was planning on using it for a couple of 150km round trips max)

Otherwise the van seems spot on. I got it at a good price so whilst I would have loved to not have to do this and am kicking myself, well, what can you do eh? And to think I knocked one back due to head gasket a week ago...oh the irony.

[Tim]

If it hasnt been driven much and only over short trips it is possible for condensation to form in the crank case which can lead to some of the things that you describe.

Does the oil/coolant look clean?

[iluvbrownale]

Hi Tim, thanks for fast reply. Funny, I bump into your posts on 'the other forum' too but am new over here.

Yes, actually I believe the current owner has used it for shorter camping trips, taking mountain bikes up into the hills around ACT etc. The oil was low, dark but otherwise okay I think. The coolant, again low, is perfectly pink - although if he's had to keep topping it up then could be why. So crank case - better or worse outcome?

[Stan]

as Tim said, this seems more like condensation than a gasket: IF it is then it's normal and wont hurt .

Top up the oil, or better still change it and the filter.
Top up the coolant.

Then see if all is OK. Wait for a short time and see how it goes, it simply might be low oil and coolant.
Keep an eye on temps and usage, treat it gently for a while and see how much of each you use. Watch for leaks, dud hoses and connections, etc...

If in doubt get a reputable mechanic to have a look at it, check compression, pressure test the cooling system etc...

[Tim]

Yeah im full of opinions

What im suggesting is that if the oil doesnt seem overly contaminated then it may just be indicative of the cars recent useage.
Id clean it up, top up the fluids and keep an eye on it.

[iluvbrownale]

The Eeyore in me expects the worst, which is better than be wildly optimistic like Tigger. So I hope that it's not the expensive HG problem but more recent usage etc. Either way, it's going to get an immediate looking at by the VW chap. The creaminess around the oil filler cap does have me concerned but I will leave a ray of hope you guys have given me and start getting excited about my MASSIVE WIN I've had last night (just secured a mint 1988 205 GTI 1.9 in UK.). I mean, I shouldn't let a T4 ruin a good weekend, especially as Im a Raiders fan to boot!