Clio Mk2 Head Gasket?

[ArchieGB]

Hello!

I've owned my Clio (MK2 2005 Rush) for almost a year now and maybe every 3/4 months I have to top up the coolant because its almost completely empty.

I've attached a couple of photos of the oil cap and filler because I've got an awful lot of gunk build up.

From what i've read it could be from short journeys which I do a lot of around 15 minutes to and from work but only recently has it really started to build up this bad, I have't seen pcitures anywhere with gunk this bad.


What would you say the cause of this is? Should I be looking for a new car?



Thanks!
Archie

 

[Krarl]

Normal for a 1.2/1.4/1.6

Give it a wipe and take it for a long drive. It's most likely condensation build up

 

[Louis]

Plastic rocker, you'll always get some build up. Unless you've got a milky residue on your dipstick I wouldn't worry.

I'd be checking for coolant leaks elsewhere, its not uncommon for pipes clips to be leaking, or water pump seals.

 

[GrahamS]

This is quite commonly the thermostat housing being warped allowing the two to mix. Change that first as MLS headgaskets very rarely fail.