Head gasket replacement

[doc.G60]

Hi All,

I am looking for a recommendation for someone who can properly diagnose and then repair a suspected head gasket leak on my 1.6TD JX.

I had the head replaced about 5000 miles ago along with radiator and waterpump. All was fine for about a year however I've recently noticed gas bubbling into the header tank and when the van gets hot the header tank goes down to 50% full and the expansion tank will slowly fill up as gas bubbles are forced through the blue dalek cap and into the expansion tank. It'll stabilise like this but if I load the engine up say going uphill it then starts pushing coolant out the expansion tank and the coolant warning light flashes as it gets hotter.

Can anyone give me a recommendation for a garage who might be willing to take on this type of work? I'm based in Stirling but could probably get the van to Glasgow or Edinburgh if I drive carefully with plenty of stops.

Cheers.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Wasn't the head re-tightened after running for a while as per the manual - usual reason for leakage after replacement?

-after about 1000 miles (with engine
either cold or warm) retighten cylinder
head bolts with breaker bar, turning
bolts in sequence 1/4 turn (90°) without
loosening them and without
interruption

 

[doc.G60]

Hi, yes it was, the head was re-tightened probably about 900 miles afterwards. 

[Aidan]

have you changed the darlek cap, they often don't last well nowadays, you should be carrying a spare anyway - I'd buy a Gates if possible, could be as simple as cap is struggling to hold pressure at 1bar

[doc.G60]

Thanks Aiden, I'll give that a try.  Do you think it's worth checking the head bolts are up to torque?

[RogerT]

I’ve not used any garages here for my van, but I’d recommend Budget Auto Centre at Back o’Hill ind est as honest and straightforward to deal with. Worth talking to anyway. There’s a place in Alloa I think as well that does restorations, I’ll look and see what I can find about them. If you want a hand with anything give me a pm, occupied for the next two or three weeks with a wee kitchen extension but hope to have more time after that.

[doc.G60]

Thanks Roger, I’ll pop into Budget and have a chat with them next time I’m passing.

Thanks for the offer of help as well, very nice of you to offer up your time!

[doc.G60]

Hi All,

I decided to have a go at this myself. I've taken the head off and there is a build up of crap at the last piston and it looks like this is where my gasket leak was.

I've cleaned the head up a bit and it seems to be measuring flat which is good news. No cracks visible anywhere. There are a few bits at the precombustion inserts that are pretty tough to clean up. Do I need to make sure these are totally clean or can I get away with the head as it now is? Any tips on how to get these stubborn bit off without being too aggressive?

I've attached a few photos.

Cheers

.


 

[davidoft1]

The head wants yo be much much cleaner than that , what are use using to clean it up ?

[doc.G60]

I used a bit of brake cleaner to get the oily stuff off then a plastic scraper and a fine scotch brite type pad.

Don’t want to be too aggressive but also appreciate some elbow grease is probably needed.

[davidoft1]

I used a bit of brake cleaner to get the oily stuff off then a plastic scraper and a fine scotch brite type pad.

Don’t want to be too aggressive but also appreciate some elbow grease is probably needed.

Some 240 grit will be fine , it’s needs to be very very clean

[doc.G60]

Ok thanks. I’ve got some somewhere I’m sure.

[doc.G60]

OK, the head is cleaned up and everything is now back together. The van seems to be running well enough on a short test run round the block. Temperature stable and no pressure in the cooling system. Need to check it's properly bled now then do the miles before the final head bolt tighten.

Thanks for everyone's input.