Low oil, low coolant problems

[Rob5]

I have a LPG converted 2002 4.4 X5 Sport which I bought about 5 months ago. About 3 months ago I noticed I had a coolant leak and got the expansion tank replaced which obviously involved a drain and refill of the coolant.

This week the coolant low light came on and when I checked the coolant was extremely low. I did an oil check at the same time and this was also very low, bearly touching the dipstick. I topped this up immediately but the next day when I got to work the engine was smoking from the rear left and the engine is leaking oil from somewhere around the same place, I can't see exactly where. There is a very small amount of creamy fluid on the dipstick but none on the filler cap and no smoking from the exhaust. The engine doesn't seem to be overheating, the needle stays at 12 o'clock?

From searching I'm reading a lot of references to head gasket failure, can any of you guys suggest otherwise. If this is the case am I looking at a new engine?

Thanks
Rob

[IanP]

Dont rely on the needle, it stays at 12 for a range of temperatures, you need to unlock the OBC to have a good coolant temperature reading. When you say its smoking from the rear of the engine, is it oil smoke or can you smell coolant? There are a large number of small coolant pipes at the rear of the engine which do not last forever and a small pinhole can lose a lot of coolant.

[Rob5]

Definitely oil smoke. Just started smoking since I topped it up. That and there is oil on the floor after I've left it. Maybe an oil leak from somewhere that's burning off on the carb?

[shadrack]

Carb?  Sounds to me like leaks. Tiny biy of mayonaise on a petrols dipstick and oil cap perfectly normal for this time of year.

no need to unlock obc, the needle ranges do not cover headgasket style temps also very unlikely a head gasket leaves a big pool of oil on the floor.

if its that obvious underneath you should find it

[X5Sport]

Er there's no carb.  These cars have multi point fuel injection.

Oil in the exhaust stream could be over pressure in the crankcase, breathers, exhaust gas recirculation, valve seals, piston rings, leaking head gasket, cracked head, block etc.  Go simple and work up.

Might be useful to get the plugs out and see which one is showing the oil contamination.

If nothing obvious it might be worth a run to someone who can check the codes to see if there is a hidden issue.

How much anti-freeze is in there?

Richard

[X5Sport]

[quote="shadrack"]
also very unlikely a head gasket leaves a big pool of oil on the floor.
[/quote]

I had one head gasket that did just that!  Failed right by the feed to the head from the pump.  Re sprayed the entire engine bay in used Castrol!  Took ages to clean up the mess, but at least it helped with rust..

[shadrack]

[quote="X5Sport"]
[quote="shadrack"]
also very unlikely a head gasket leaves a big pool of oil on the floor.
[/quote]

I had one head gasket that did just that!  Failed right by the feed to the head from the pump.  Re sprayed the entire engine bay in used Castrol!  Took ages to clean up the mess, but at least it helped with rust..
[/quote]

lol, the op needs to get underneath or take it to someone who can and find out where the oil and water are going, if large amounts of water are going into the oil you can see straight away normally

[Ubatoid]

First off, don't automatically think head gasket, there are a myriad of other bit to leak. Score you jump to worse case scenirio. Take off the acoustic cover and give the breather pipes a squash- I will wager they are soft and sticky. You need to replace these and  the oil separator cyclone pipes  I guarantee these are spilling oil. And while your back there you'll probably find one of the water pipes for the lpg is leaking.