“Mayonnaise isn’t always good for your health, it’s worse for your car. What is commonly called “mayonnaise” is the direct result of the mixture between coolant and engine oil. By checking the engine oil after unscrewing the cap, you will see this mayonnaise appear. A fat in the form of a paste. No doubt, your cylinder head gasket is defective, it’s time to go to a professional.” explains Julien Meurisse, mechanic. But that’s not the only sign.
Warning smoke!
White smoke from the exhaust can be the result of improper engine tuning. But it could also be the result of a bad head gasket.
If the smoke takes on light blue reflections, we can also bet on coolant in oil. If your oil becomes lighter, beware as well. It is no longer pure and probably “polluted” by the coolant.
Check the hoses
One of the other easily identifiable symptoms is to check on the side of the hoses, these large black pipes present under the hood. A healthy hose is always supple and soft. If the expansion tank or radiator hose is hard, beware!
It is an abnormally high pressure that causes this hardness. Here too, we are in the presence of a symptom of a cylinder head gasket out of order. Pay particular attention when checking the temperature of the engine parts.
The risk of burns is never far away. Never open the radiator cap if the car is hot. Do not wait for the breakdown and overheating to go to a specialist.
Watch out for leaks
Checking the coolant level is simple and accessible to everyone. If the level drops, distrust. It may be a leak. If a micro leak may seem innocuous, it does not resolve itself. A simple check on the garage floor will allow you to identify any leaks.
There too, we will have our vehicle checked. It is certainly a simple hose, which can be replaced for a few euros. A hose which, if it tears while driving, could have serious consequences.