Head gasket worries

[mrscisco]

As stated in the title I am slightly concerned. My first sign is lots of white smoke bellowing from the exhuast? This has settled a little recently after a couple of fairly long journeys. There is a small amount of mayo on the oil cap and i did notice some oil that has been leaking from the right front corner of the engine. I wiped this for a further assesment which i need to get round too. The engine temp gauge hasn't been abnormal or fluxuating.
Can anyone give me some advice on this situation and a possible remedy or procces (I will have to replace the gasket, I understand that). I am heavily on a budget so will be doing the work myself and with friends (hopefully). Is this a fairly easy job? And before taking of the rocker cover is there any advise for not making a complete balls of it i.e wrecking the rocker gasket.
I should mention the car drives o.k with no worrying noises but doesn't seem as powerfull. Maybe thats just me.
Any help and guidance would be appreciated.

Happy christmas all

[Brianmoooore]

White 'smoke' (water vapour) is normal at this time of year.
A small amount of mayo on the filler cap is normal at this time of year.
Assuming this is a M20 engine, the oil leak can be considered normal. (Much more abnormal for a M20 to have no oil leaks!)
As long as the water level in the coolant bottle doesn't keep dropping below about 1/2" below the seam, then I doubt there is anything wrong with your car at all.

[mrLEE30]

a time of high relative humidity so condensation both in your exhaust system (coming out as white smoke, more pronounced when the car is first warming up) and also inside you rocker cover, seen as small traces of white residue inside your filler cap.

these are normal.

best advise is change your oil assuming its old and keep an eye on the water level, so long as this is not consistantly dropping then i would not worry.

mrlee

[daimlerman]

Are you adding coolant on a regular basis? Is there signs of 'mayo' on the dipstick? Car used mainly for short trips?

[leeparkes]

mine was off the road for about a month and on firing up i noticed mayo on the filler cap,but it wasnt like head gasket mayo if you know what i mean,it was more of a white colour and not so thick.
just keep an eye on the coolant level,if its not droping dont worry!

[mrscisco]

Thanx for all your help and advise. I am going with the legend that is Mr. Moooore for his spot on diagnosis. All coolant levels are fine and have not been dropping and it is only a small amount of mayo on the cap. I have changed the oil less than 100 miles ago and I do use it for small journeys. A mile each way to work. I should walk but I am totally adddicted to 6 cylinder greatness and rear wheel smiling. Only alot more jobs to do and money to spend till it's were it should be... amazing. If anyone has some decent suspension for sale (the whole lot) at a good price let me know.
Anyways, thanx again for your help, I appreciate your time.

Happy christmas all and have a great new year!!