Is my head gasket going after 2 days of ownership?:(

[Darius]

So I bought my first car the other day 1.2 clio, and I did so many checks but looks like I missed one out, and yes a very basic one! I'm angry at myself for not checking it properly so please no negativity, help is all I'm asking for.

I took my oil cap off and there is white gunk on the underside of it? Is my head gasket going? What else can I look for? And how much to fix it if it is gone?

Thanks in advance.

 

[montana]

Have you been doing short journeys ? That can be an explanation - if so take it for a motorway run and then check it again.

 

[DrR]

I've read on here numerous times it happens a lot on the 1.2s, because the oil filler tube is long or something. Wouldn't worry unless it's showing any other signs

 

[S1MON]

Common on alot of cars.

Check for oil in the water expansion bottle. Or the car using water. And keep an eye on the temp guage.

 

[Thrill]

Very normal for the oil filler cap to be mayonnaisey. Head gaskets rarely fail on Clios.

 

[M26]

Both my 1.2 Clios had this problem. Neither of the headgaskets were away.

 

[Darius]

Thanks for all the info guys, it's a 45K car, so was hoping it wouldn't be the gasket. I've only had the car 2 days and it hasn't been driven in those as I'm not old enough yet. The owner before me said he only did short journeys. But it was 30 miles on the motorway on the way back, should it of just gone or do I need to clean it first?

 

[M26]

I wouldn't bother doing anything with it tbh. Just monitor the oil level and the coolant level and you'll be fine

 

[Darius]

I wouldn't bother doing anything with it tbh. Just monitor the oil level and the coolant level and you'll be fine

Okay thanks!

 

[vRS LIL]

Bad servicing as well as short journeys can cause this too. Has it had a recent oil change?

 

[Darius]

Bad servicing as well as short journeys can cause this too. Has it had a recent oil change?

Not for 12 months come June

 

[Alastair.]

Hello, I work for Renault, I can tell you that the mayo around the filler neck and cap is 100% normal. No need to worry.

 

[Darius]

Hello, I work for Renault, I can tell you that the mayo around the filler neck and cap is 100% normal. No need to worry.

Okay thanks so much! I was really worried tbh, especially being my first car. How often should these be serviced?

 

[Alastair.]

Your clio will be on a 18,000 mile or 2 year interval, whichever comes first. (Assuming its a pre 2006 model)

 

[Darius]

Your clio will be on a 18,000 mile or 2 year interval, whichever comes first. (Assuming its a pre 2006 model)

Yes it is, okay thanks

 

[Darius]

well the cars fine so i was just panicking lol

 

[Alastair.]

Told ya.

 

[AlexCarter]

Told ya.

2 year service interval did I read up there? Mine's the same shape as JavvaCake's but on a 2006, and it's been serviced every year since new?

 

[Darius]

2 year service interval did I read up there? Mine's the same shape as JavvaCake's but on a 2006, and it's been serviced every year since new?

I think 2 years renault a advice maybe? But mines been done every year too

 

[Darius]

Told ya.

cheers!

 

[Dan519]

I've always seen 18k or 18 months interval on the 1.2 16v. More often is better though

 

[DrR]

Lots of cars are 2 years, even the 182s.

 

[Dan519]

There are at least 10 versions of service record book, all with different info.