God, I hate this pile of shite

[ChristoT]

[quote author=mr self destruct link=topic=13680.msg154442#msg154442 date=1403070206]
Are you 100% sure it's the head gasket gone? The coolant system is under pressure anyway as it runs at over 100 degrees. It's sealed in order to raise the boiling point of the coolant, so it can do its job more efficiently (just like a pressure cooker). It could just be knackered pipes as they go brittle and split with age, so don't write the car off just yet. 

This was my line of thinking when I spoke to Christo on the phone

Any car garage can do a simple test for gas in the coolant bud, then you'll know for sure.

I also suggested this

Christo, just get the car checked before making any rash decisions based on nothing more than theory and hyperbole
[/quote]

The coolant is bright red, and you can see the sheen from the diesel in it. It's buggered.

I will get my landlord (ex mechanic) to double check, but I doubt he'll say different. I am now also losing coolant at an alarming rate.