Copper slip in expansion tank?

[Dino D]

I went to look at a used car (not a Z but a VR6 powered Galaxy) and the expansion tank was filled with clear water but under the cap it had what looked like to me the copper grease stuff?

Any idea what it is? Some sort of leak dealer stuff?

 

[GazHyde]

Would that not be oil in the coolant, head gasket?

 

[t-tony]

Would that not be oil in the coolant, head gasket?

It could well be, but I have known people start to top up fluids in the wrong holes before realising their mistake. Quite common on P/S fluid especially. Oil coolers are most often the cause of water and oil mixing.

Tony.

 

[Dino D]

Would that not be oil in the coolant, head gasket?

It was a bright copper colour, not oily looking like engine oil. No mayo or bubbles on the oil filler cap or dipstick.

 

[t-tony]

Was it on the threads of the expansion cap Dino? Sometimes those things get so stiff to turn, it could be someone put copper grease on it to aid tightening/loosening the cap?

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

If the coolant has what looks like cooper grease BEWARE ! To me that sounds like k seal or block seal has been added.
Thats why the water is clear its been haemorrhaging coolant and has block seal put in to stop it
Tried this a few years ago when the head went on my tdi galaxy lasted a fortnight then went again .
Personally unless you were getting it dirt cheap I'd find another one as that one could well be a money pit .

 

[Dino D]

Was it on the threads of the expansion cap Dino? Sometimes those things get so stiff to turn, it could be someone put copper grease on it to aid tightening/loosening the cap?

Tony.

It was on the bottom of the cap and they get really stiff on these so that makes sense.

 

[t-tony]

It was on the bottom of the cap and they get really stiff on these so that makes sense.

I would be wary , but ask if they can do a combustion gas test to reassure you.

Tony.

 

[Dino D]

If the coolant has what looks like cooper grease BEWARE ! To me that sounds like k seal or block seal has been added.
Thats why the water is clear its been haemorrhaging coolant and has block seal put in to stop it
Tried this a few years ago when the head went on my tdi galaxy lasted a fortnight then went again .
Personally unless you were getting it dirt cheap I'd find another one as that one could well be a money pit .

I left it in the end. Drove very nice, was actually lowered and had a cone filter and dual exit exhaust. Like driving my Z but with 7 seats, a glorious sounding engine, secretly prefer it to a straight six but don't tell anyone

The VR6 can leak from a few places but it was dry underneath but water could be going somewhere you can't see, very tight in that engine bay!

It was cheap enough to run until the MOT ran out as I need a short term replacement bus. However I ended up leaving it when the dealer tried to make me sign a piece paper saying I was buying an unroadworthy car for parts and that it was trailered off their premise (it had MOT until next year). He was bleating about having the best solicitors and that this paper protects him against the 'Constitutional rights act'. Pretty poor solicitors as the act he is trying to wriggle out of is the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (updated sale of goods act) and in any event you sign you cannot sign away your statutory rights!

Gotta love used car dealers..not all the same though, have had good experiences too.

 

[t-tony]

Sounds like you made the right move then mate.

Tony.

ps. The Nissan 350Z I tested last week sounded really nice too.

 

[5harp3y]

It would have been Radweld.

That stuff is pinky / copper and leaves horrible deposits everywhere.

As the VW uses an expansion tank it would be all over it.

 

[5harp3y]

I left it in the end. Drove very nice, was actually lowered and had a cone filter and dual exit exhaust. Like driving my Z but with 7 seats, a glorious sounding engine, secretly prefer it to a straight six but don't tell anyone

The VR6 can leak from a few places but it was dry underneath but water could be going somewhere you can't see, very tight in that engine bay!

It was cheap enough to run until the MOT ran out as I need a short term replacement bus. However I ended up leaving it when the dealer tried to make me sign a piece paper saying I was buying an unroadworthy car for parts and that it was trailered off their premise (it had MOT until next year). He was bleating about having the best solicitors and that this paper protects him against the 'Constitutional rights act'. Pretty poor solicitors as the act he is trying to wriggle out of is the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (updated sale of goods act) and in any event you sign you cannot sign away your statutory rights!

Gotta love used car dealers..not all the same though, have had good experiences too.

Thats a proper scumbag of a dealer