Slight Oil in Coolant bottle K engine - Possible Cause

[CRS-Mike]

This might be useful in the guides section or troubleshooting i don't know.

Basically, if you have slight oil in your coolant reservoir, floating at the top but no loss of power like a head gasket failure. chances are its the thermostat housing causing the issue. I found this out through an experienced mechanic who is my mate, who told me it is quite rare for this to happen, but when it does, this is what you need £75 from renault direct (clones of this part are NOT recommended for the simple fact they are actually more likely to fail due to cheap manufacturing).

i have attached a picture from Renault so that you guys know exactly what i'm on about.
Turns out the oil runs through there a little bit (to be cooled slightly :S) and if it cracks, oil starts seeping into the coolant!

there are 2 different versions, the older one being the top one, is metal.
lower one is newer and is plastic :S

Renault guy said the metal ones were more prone to breaking, bizarre!!

Hope this helps people!

 

[morgam23]

With the metal ones, the thermostat can be changed separately. With the plastic, when the thermostat goes, the entire unit has to be replaced.

 

[MicKPM]

Correction to... that housing plate is around £110 + vat.

Normally though its just the seal that needs replacing and costs around £11-13

Mick

 

[CRS-Mike]

Correction to... that housing plate is around £110 + vat.

Normally though its just the seal that needs replacing and costs around £11-13

Mick

oh right well when i ordered the other day the renault chap said £75. lol. so broken seal lets oil in, or is that just a loosing coolant issue if that happens. we havnt removed the whole unit yet you see, curious to know!

 

[MicKPM]

The seal is a compression fit rubber seal which over time goes flat, brittle and stops sealing. This normally results in a major-ish oil leak over the gearbox and on to the floor but occasionally oil sneaks into the coolant jacket to.

 

[CRS-Mike]

The seal is a compression fit rubber seal which over time goes flat, brittle and stops sealing. This normally results in a major-ish oil leak over the gearbox and on to the floor but occasionally oil sneaks into the coolant jacket to.

can you get them seals on there own? and if so are they easy to fit in there. do they go in the plastic ones as well as thats what i have...