Hello - so I 'think' my head gasket/s may be on the way out  - some mayo, coolant had gone down a bit although car runs perfectly fine and as it hasn't done any miles recently really I am wondering if its condensation / in need if a thrash, and the coolant is a red herring (dipped oil looked fine)
BUT should be it gasket time, how much is that likely to cost, and anyone know anyone that is good! (I don't have the facility outside my house!)
I cam make tea like a champ if anyone fancies it - guffer? :-)

Condensation in V6 filler along with mayo is totally normal, on short runs condensation works it way up the filler, turning the oil to mayo (castrol is worst for it)

Take it for a good spanking on a long run, and some fresh oil should do wonders.

How much coolant loss we talking about here?

Nothing here says to me head gaskets  :y

Agreed... Not likely to be HG if the oil on the dipstick is normal. :y

Thanks guys - I will have a run in it over the weekend, and funnily enough it is running both castrol and in need of a service v soon. Wife has been doing a few short runs, not alot else, and its been damp horrible weather so was 'hoping' it maybe condensation.
Coolant loss  - not alot, just down below the max mark by a couple of CM - topped up but not been home to check where it is now after a couple of more short runs..

Si, it doesn't sound like Hg at all.  If you are losing coolant then look at the usual suspects - HBV, oil cooler plate, split pipes, etc.

Hope all is well with you  :y

Following a breakdown yesterday and the arrival of the RAC, my car was taken to a local garage where a blown cylinder head gasket was diagnosed.
Cost to repair - "in the region of £650" !!!!!!!! :'(

that is really tough - are you confident in the garage advice? Have you committed to the repair with them? - no doubt someone will come on in your area who can assist.

I would ask on here - not a huge or difficult job

I haev done the V6 (valve seals)

panderson wrote on 12. Feb 2011 at 11:42:

Following a breakdown yesterday and the arrival of the RAC, my car was taken to a local garage where a blown cylinder head gasket was diagnosed. Cost to repair - "in the region of £650" !!!!!!!! :'(

I'd have thought that was way too much to do just one head gasket.

Guffer wrote on 11. Feb 2011 at 20:03:

Si, it doesn't sound like Hg at all.  If you are losing coolant then look at the usual suspects - HBV, oil cooler plate, split pipes, etc. Hope all is well with you  :y

All good thanks mate - likewise hoping all good in your world