Head Gasket woes

Post by **Judge** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:18 pm

If your cylinder head was not unleaded, now might be the ideal time to fit one.

Post by **ims101** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:31 pm

PaulVW wrote:
I have 2 options really, new head and block, or new engine.

Bummer Paul, I hope it gets you there and back!! My head is being skimmed as we speak hopefully I can get it all back together and running for the weekend then I hope the rain keeps off!!

Post by **PaulVW** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:00 pm

Judge wrote:If your cylinder head was not unleaded, now might be the ideal time to fit one.

It was unleaded, the engine was a fully refurbished one, that cost the previous owner £800 (I saw the receipt) and has only done approx 3000-4000 miles! It was partly the reason I brought the car as I thought "hmmm no more engine problems" Ha!

Post by **Judge** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:03 pm

How long ago was the new engine fitted, and was the guarantee based on a time limit, or maximum mileage?

Post by **PaulVW** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:31 pm

it was fitted about 5 years ago, but only was used 2 years ago

Post by **PaulVW** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:48 pm

just a quick update; The car is now back, and has a lot more "umph" than it has had for a while, the engine is also a lot more quite, so I it should last for a while I hope.

can anyone recomend a good coolant to add into the rad? I want to make sure she does not get to hot!

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:53 pm

Just water and ordinary concentrated ethylene glycol antifreeze should be fine. There's no point using expensive long-life stuff if you're going to be changing the head in a few days.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:55 pm

Ah well - it's the block i'm afraid. Would need to strip the engine - and have the top surface of the block skimmed flat. Well worth doing if the engine is otherwise in good condition. The strip down will only take a couple of hours - and the machining won't cost a fortune. If the engine is marginal foir condition - grab another engine from ebay!

Post by **d_harris** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:40 pm

Just noticed the exhaust - guessing the cars been tweaked a little?

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:48 am

Ah well - it's the block i'm afraid.

Hmm thats a little different to what the garage has found

the head has a hairline crack

Well Paul I would keep my eyes open at the National you never know what will be in the autojumble.

Post by **ims101** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:48 am

Dan_Harris wrote:Just noticed the exhaust - guessing the cars been tweaked a little?

Thats mine Dan

yeah a little!!
and I haven't got my head back from being skimmed they are also fitting valve's and new seats hopefully they will get it finished today and I can rebuild tonight after work

god I'll be knacked as I also work Saturday's too

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:05 pm

Well - that crack would maybe do it - although it may have been caused by the gasket blowing due to block problem , but you had said the head was examined before and ok - I hope they have now fitted another head? And I hope they didn't go for 60 ft lbf on the head nuts - severe chance of ripping a stud out of the block.

Post by **PaulVW** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:26 pm

well she made it there and back!

over 400 miles in total!

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:19 am

Well done Paul that must be a relief.

Post by **PaulVW** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:36 pm

In my experience Moggies never let you down when you *really* need them