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[JamesV6CDX]

My 53 2.2 petrol Miggy

For a few weeks, unexplained coolant loss. No leaks anywhere, usual suspects checked.

Despite lots of flushing coolant kept going brown

When taking off header tank cap even after sitting overnight, a real strong Hiss can be heard/felt - pressure

For a couple of weeks after that, felt a rough idle. Not quite a misfire, but a shaky ish idle

Then, a while on, running on 3 at idle, but only on idle, when driving it goes like its been stung

At same time, on stone cold start, would misfire
Guessing water in a cylinder after its been ran

No4 cylinder misfire code. When left to idle, no4 shuts down by ecu

When idling on 4 (with the miss) when up to temp, loads of steam from exhaust

When 4 shuts down, steam reduces

Anyone seen this before?

Is the 2.2 HG a multi layer metal one or composite?

[Marks DTM Calib]

This symptom hints at no:

When taking off header tank cap even after sitting overnight, a real strong Hiss can be heard/felt - pressure'

With headgasket failure, if cylinder to water jacket, it would never hold pressure for any time at all (as the coolant would seep into the bore).

[JamesV6CDX]

This symptom hints at no:

When taking off header tank cap even after sitting overnight, a real strong Hiss can be heard/felt - pressure'

With headgasket failure, if cylinder to water jacket, it would never hold pressure for any time at all (as the coolant would seep into the bore).

I thought the coolant seeping into bore would be the cause of the morning misfire after it had been stood, to be honest?

I'm hoping that its not something more sinister, there is no doubt plumes of steam from the exhaust..

[Marks DTM Calib]

It could be but, the statement that there is pressure in the header tank after its been stood is contradictory 

[JamesV6CDX]

It could be but, the statement that there is pressure in the header tank after its been stood is contradictory 

I totally understand your logic

To be honest the hiss (which was very brief) isn't so noticible anymore

Given the steam, I think I will have to pop the head anyway and take it from there

[RobG]

It could be but, the statement that there is pressure in the header tank after its been stood is contradictory 

I totally understand your logic

To be honest the hiss (which was very brief) isn't so noticible anymore

Given the steam, I think I will have to pop the head anyway and take it from there

Exactly the same symptoms when I had HG go. First thing in the morning prior to starting, whip #4 plug out and shine a torch in or dip with a suitable implement, pretty much guarantee you`ll see coolant

[Rods2]

I tend to agree with those symptoms. All 3 car engines I've had head gaskets go on, as the failure has got worse I've had it misfiring on tickover and low rev, which then clears as the revs rise. 2 head gaskets on an air cooled motorbike just resulted in being down on power, so I presume the low rev misfire is due to water being drawn into the cylinder.

Lots of steam and the smell of combustion gasses when the header cap is off, pressure testing the cooling system and doing a compression test should confirm your worst fears. 

[cd 2.2]

HBV can cause unexplained loss of coolant ... check it for water staining around the little hole on the heater bypass valve! It's a pain to change but fairly cheap, you can get a used replacement from most vecta B's or astra's iirc. Mine leaks and looses coolant but I'm changing it soon, just keep putting it off as it's right up behind the inlet manifold and you only have about 6 inch square space to work !! should have done it when i did the head gasket i guess

[Andy H]

It could be but, the statement that there is pressure in the header tank after its been stood is contradictory 

Unless....
The leak is at a very early stage and acting like a one way valve allowing gas to pressurise the cooling system but not letting (much) coolant to back into the combustion chamber.

[TheBoy]

HBV can cause unexplained loss of coolant ... check it for water staining around the little hole on the heater bypass valve! It's a pain to change but fairly cheap, you can get a used replacement from most vecta B's or astra's iirc. Mine leaks and looses coolant but I'm changing it soon, just keep putting it off as it's right up behind the inlet manifold and you only have about 6 inch square space to work !! should have done it when i did the head gasket i guess

As they are only about £35 new from dealer, and that they are universally shite, I couldn't recommend 2nd hand.

Have pity for us V6 owners, we have about 6mm spare to work in . Less if some mongrel (ie, me) has routed the LPG coolant pipes near it

[JamesV6CDX]

Changed head gasket today. Evidence of coolant corrosion around the valves on pot 4. Pot 4 full of water, some also in 3.

Strangely the gasket visually looked fine.

Couldn't start it as I forgot to take the key!!! (Car is at a relatives 75 miles away) so I'll start it soon, maybe tomorrow

[Sir Tigger KC]

You should have hotwired it! 

[steve6367]

Changed head gasket today. Evidence of coolant corrosion around the valves on pot 4. Pot 4 full of water, some also in 3.

Strangely the gasket visually looked fine.

Couldn't start it as I forgot to take the key!!! (Car is at a relatives 75 miles away) so I'll start it soon, maybe tomorrow

Any pics James? Just interested to see how it compares to how mine looked last week....

[Alex W]

Forgive the ignorance but I thought you had to have all sorts of machining done if the head gasket fails. James makes it sound as routine as changing sparks plugs? (Even that is a pain on the V6)

[JamesV6CDX]

Forgive the ignorance but I thought you had to have all sorts of machining done if the head gasket fails. James makes it sound as routine as changing sparks plugs? (Even that is a pain on the V6)

Machining only required if face is distorted. Mine was measured and was fine.

Usually cause of failure is lack of coolant maintenance causing the composite material on the gasket to rot away

Not quite a routine as plugs but essentially not that much more complex on the 4 pot. Just takes more time.

From undoing the first bolt to startup, about 5 hours.

Fired her up today, started well, ran lovely, no more symptoms