Advise!!

[dpetersen]

Symptoms were;
Shaking violently when starting the car,
Loosing coolant,
Sounded like it backfired when I started the car
White milky paste under oil cap.
I had it serviced in Darwin and asked the mechanic to check the radiator as I was loosing coolant, he said it had the wrong radiator cap on it and replaced it, got down to Adelaide and that's when everything above started to happen. Took it to a mechanic here and he said the mechanic in Darwin had fitted the wrong radiator cap.
I don't think I can prove that this has caused the head gasket to go though.
When the mechanic in Adelaide compression tested it he just said that it was the head gasket and put the correct cap on the radiator.

[kevin07]

so I think taking the head off seeing if its gasket clean it all up check and machine head and off you go

[4bye4]

The only way you are going to find out if it needs a new motor or a new head gasket it to take the head off and have a look. Everything from a head gasket through to cracked head or even warped block can cause the symptoms you have. look and learn I think.

[dpetersen]

Got the patrol back today;
New head gasket, refaced the head, new Pistons, bearings and seals, new glow plugs, replaced the thermostat and installed an oil catch can.
Total cost was $4500.
Hopefully will be alright for another 300000ks now.