head gasket leak

[aupickup]

i do normally stick with champions
have ordered some champions now
still have a slight weep of water on the outside of head but no oil leaks
thanks to all

[daveyl]

Are you sure that it's not leaking from the thermostat housing or it's pipe connection or the temperature sender (if you have one). Or even blow back from the top of water pump or the little stub connection on the pump.

[aupickup]

difficult to pinpoint exactly
but it is around the temp plug area
i have closely looked at that it appears along the head joint and under the engine number plate
will check it out again the wekend
thanks all

[bmcecosse]

Torqued to 44 ft lbf I hope.

[aupickup]

yep roy 44

[les]

If the misfire is sorted and the leak is minimal, maybe leave it at that.

[aupickup]

misfire was a new ngk spark plug that blew
will run the car i dont thinkl the leak is that bad
so will leave as is and check the rad daily for a while

[aupickup]

well 2day the car started fine and yesterday was ok after changing the plug
then this morning after 4 miles the number 2 plug started misfiring again
water leak has stopped and compressions all the same and seem ok

[bmcecosse]

How do you know it's #2 ??

[aupickup]

by pulling the spark plug leads off to determine which one is mis firing

[les]

Change ALL the plugs and start from there!

[aupickup]

getting some champions tommorow

[les]

Good idea. Does make you wonder though, bit of a coincidence being cylinder 1 then 2 next door!

[aupickup]

what else would chew up spark plugs

[les]

It may well be a duff set of plugs but if for instance the gasket is letting water into 1 & 2 from a nearby water hole then the spray could get to the plugs. Did you look to see if water spray came out of the plug hole with the engine being cranked?

[aupickup]

no 1 plug was dry
no 2 plug was wet petrol
no3 dry
no4 dry

could not see any water out of the cylinder
the engine starts up fine running on3
turns off ok
cant see any water on dip stick
cant see any oil in rad water

no loss of water in rad tho the level was higher
than yesterday

[les]

Back to plugs then, fit the new set and go from there. Don't get the thing about more water in rad, not usually a good sign but if oil level is constant ----- Get Roy back on the case

[bmcecosse]

Put the old head back on - NOW!

[aupickup]

the old head is at my garage 30 miles away
and it needs refurbing so that is not a option at the moment

[les]

Good cop/bad cop