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!