1.2 Clio Headgasket & Oil Consumption

[Citroenmad]

There are two 1.2 8v Clio Authentiques I kind of look after for two girls at work, if I didnt they wouldnt ever get an oil check etc. Both Clios are 2002 plates.

One of them seems to have a problem with consuming oil. I serviced it about 3 months ago with the correct grade and high quality oil. I checked it over today to find the oil level now lower than minimum and the oil filler neck covered in cream mayo like condentation build up. The car does do a few short runs but also a good few long distance runs at 'high' speed too. In the last week it has done at least two 60 mile trips, so it shouldn't have chance to build up condensation as most town cars do.

I checked the coolent which is down only a little bit but there was pressure behind the cap despite the car having been parked for over 6 hours.

The other Clio has more miles on it but has not used a drop of oil in the same time the blue one has used 2 litres. There is no condensation mayo build up on the other one either, just the one which is consuming oil. The engine sounds a little tappety and its no doubt been neglected, service wise, in the past. It only has 73K miles

An obvious headgasket issue??


Just wondering what to advise its owner to do.

I was thinking ill do another service and use some wonderful Forte products to see if that'll improve things.

[R9UKE]

My Clio 8v had just as much of a mayo build up as that car, but the head gasket was absolutely fine, I think these engines just find it harder than others to get rid of that condensation. But my car didn't use oil, so that would set alarm bells ringing for me. Could there be a leak as opposed to the oil actually being used?

[Citroenmad]

She says the car doesnt leave oil on the floor where its parked, so I think its just using it up. Mind I don't suppose running them at very high revs helps its oil consumption.

Ive been driving the Clio today, I brought it home to have a better look at it and sort a few other things.

I drained off some oil (I had topped it up to max yesterday) and put in a bottle of Forte Oil Fortifier - designed for engines which consume oil or worn engines. Which has already made the engine quieter, as its a little clattery, no doubt a result of running low on oil a few times, lack of servicing etc. I also cleaned off the mayo so ill see if that returns.

I also drained off some coolant, put in a bottle of Forte Rad Stop Leak and topped up with new antifreeze. Then gave the car a good drive around to get it all working. Im not sure if the head gasker is away slighty, but if it is that should solve it. And hopefully the oil fortifier will slow its oil usage down too. Ill check its oil level weekely for the next few weeks and see how things go.

The mayo might well have been just a condensation build up as coolant usage is slight. It has quite a long filler neck which might not let oil wash it off, also with less than minimum oil in the engine it wouldnt have much to go around ...

Good little car though, I was impressed with the the ride quality, its excelent for a small modernish car, its fairly refined at speed for a small car, handles and grips ok and is generally a nice car to drive. The steering wheel feels too big and at an odd angle and the driving position isnt great, but its not bad. Lively performer for a 60bhp 8v too.

Ill keep my eye on it and see how things go, at least its got the correct amoung ot oil and coolant in now.

I had had sucess with Forte RSL in the past on cars to cure slight HG leaks. Also had oil consumption in a Fiatreduces by oilfortifier. So im confident that it will help and hopefully see off any costly repairs.

[R9UKE]

Good luck, hope it cures the problem!

You're right about the neck of the filler cap. I really doubt the area gets touched by the oil which will naturally end up in that kind of build up.

And the steering wheel... It's HUGE! It really spoils the feel of driving the car which is a shame. That was the thing I hated most about the Clio.

Also I hope you've activated the automatic door locking if it isn't working already! These Clios had it but it wasn't turned on when delivered new, so most people don't know about it.

[Citroenmad]

Good luck, hope it cures the problem!

You're right about the neck of the filler cap. I really doubt the area gets touched by the oil which will naturally end up in that kind of build up.

And the steering wheel... It's HUGE! It really spoils the feel of driving the car which is a shame. That was the thing I hated most about the Clio.

Also I hope you've activated the automatic door locking if it isn't working already! These Clios had it but it wasn't turned on when delivered new, so most people don't know about it.

The wheel is huge, and as far as I can tell, not really connected to anything ... well it doesn't feel as if it is!

Actually yes, both Clios have the autolocking activated, I was impressed

Also, just a very small detail I liked, after using the windscreen washers, the wipers do another sweep shortly after to collect any runs from the spray. Ive seen that on other cars and thought it a good idea, didn't think id find it on a basic Clio!

Even if the HG is not on its way out, better preventative measures than colstly repairs. Im hopefull that its oil consumption might slow down, Ill keep an eye on it.