Finally set the ball rolling on the legals for my book/pinto in November and have just received my date for Beverley - 29th Jan.

However since applying my engine has died. Started with steam from exhaust and mayo in oil. I changed the head gasket but no different. So I got a replacement head ( thanks Jacko) but no different. So unless both heads were cracked - seems unlikey - it looks like the block is cracked . Is there anything else it couls be or any way of firming up the diagnosis?

Either way Im on the look out for a pinto to get me through SVA

If you have a oil cooler fitted, could it be swapping water to the oil through that?
Steve.

What sized pinto is it?
I'm a bit far away, but I do have 1.6 pinto sat in the garage.
It was smoking when it last ran (2 years ago), but I think new stem seals will sort that out. Carb is a bit buggered as well, but it's yours free if you can collect.

If its been sat a while, then it will have a bit of condensation/water build up inside.
How much mayo was there?

OK steam from the exhaust should clear after its got up to normal temp, but may need a little throttle to get rid of it all.

If there's only mayo in the oil and not mayo in the water, I'd cross fingers its condensation as oil pressure should be higher than water pressure and thus be giving you mayo in water side if you'd got a crack. (OK it depends if the breach is at a oil HP point but I'm looking for hope here!)

No oil cooler sadly.

I ran the engine for ages and no change so I dont think it can be condensation - also I changed the oil after each gasket/ head change so there should have been no water in it.

Bilbo - thanks for the offer. I may take you up on it.

Simon

I know it might sound stupid, but I trust that you did put the head gasket on the right way each time.?

I've sympathy for you mate. Mine developed the exact same problem and I tried the head gasket a few months ago too but didn't help and thus flagged up as a fail at SVA. If you discover what it is will you keep us updated.