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Author Topic: 2.0 Head gasket?  (Read 1385 times)

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sefton

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2.0 Head gasket?
« on: 29 June 2008, 16:59:05 »

Hi all.
Driving uphill this afternoon and all of a sudden got rattle from engine, started running rough and lots of whie smoke from exhaust. Had to continue driving as there was nowhere safe to stop. Then smoke disappeared and engine started running ok again. Drove home (2 miles) carefully with no problem. Car now starts and runs ok. Is this likely to be the head gasket, and if so is it a reasonable diy job? (cost?.) Or would I be better off taking advantage of the high scrap metal value at the moment?! (what does an omega weigh?). seems a shame as it has just passed its mot with very little work. Any advice would be appreciated.
Al.
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philhoward

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #1 on: 29 June 2008, 19:26:00 »

Quick question - has it used a bucket load of water or oil?

Check your brake fluid level - brake fluid makes a load of white smoke and causes severe pinking..
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Running an X30XE in a Reliant Scimitar GTE as I can't have an Omega as a company car...

sefton

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #2 on: 29 June 2008, 21:36:47 »

It has been using water, but very little since warmer weather with heater on cold. Thought I might have leak on heater matrix but no external sign of leaks.
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Abiton

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #3 on: 29 June 2008, 21:59:21 »

Could just have been your engine breather system 'puking' a bunch of oil/water emulsion into the intake.  

Cleaned the breathers lately?
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rickyboy

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #4 on: 30 June 2008, 00:15:08 »

Doesn't sound like head gasket.  Engine Management Light on?  Do the paperclip test.  Guide in the maintenance section - "search paperclip test".
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sefton

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #5 on: 30 June 2008, 07:40:51 »

I cleaned all the breathers out last year, around 8,000 miles ago.  Did an oil change 200 miles ago (VX semi synth oil).
The engine management light did not come on at all. Do I still need to do paperclip test?
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sefton

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #6 on: 30 June 2008, 08:09:44 »

Another symptom I've had over the last few weeks - don't know if it's related - Car always starts first turn, but sometimes afer pulling away if feels like it's only running on 3 cylinders. This clears itself afer about half a mile. Doesn't do it everytime though.
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rickyboy

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #7 on: 30 June 2008, 13:21:51 »

Quote
I cleaned all the breathers out last year, around 8,000 miles ago.  Did an oil change 200 miles ago (VX semi synth oil).
The engine management light did not come on at all. Do I still need to do paperclip test?

Does the engine management light come on when you turn the ignition to position 2 (without starting the car)?
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sefton

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #8 on: 30 June 2008, 14:27:47 »

The engine management light comes on for a second or two when ingnition is turned to position 2 (bulb ok). Done paperclip test and no codes are flahed up.
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SteveD

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #9 on: 30 June 2008, 15:03:58 »

Quote
Another symptom I've had over the last few weeks - don't know if it's related - Car always starts first turn, but sometimes afer pulling away if feels like it's only running on 3 cylinders. This clears itself afer about half a mile. Doesn't do it everytime though.

Now that sounds just like my Cavalier used to do when it's head gasket had gone between the middle two cylinders & water way.  :-/
« Last Edit: 30 June 2008, 15:04:16 by SteveD »
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rickyboy

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #10 on: 30 June 2008, 15:21:59 »

Do the revs start normally at around 800-900rpm then climb to 2000rpm?  Strange the revs are ok without the ICV plugged in.  Is there any possibility the mechanical idler on the throttle body may have been changed at some point?

Also check that there is no smell of fuel coming from the expansion tank - looks like a river flowing as well when the HG has gone.
« Last Edit: 30 June 2008, 15:34:12 by rickyboy »
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sefton

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #11 on: 30 June 2008, 15:41:42 »

Revs are strady at around 800rpm. Running fine at the moment - till next time!
Is it usual, when a head gasket is failing, to get symptoms only some of the time?
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rickyboy

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #12 on: 30 June 2008, 15:50:26 »

When mine went it was very obvious.  Big shot of white smoke out the exhaust then very little power.  The water in the expansion tank looked like a jacuzzi and the engine partially ceased after driving 10 miles or so.  The temp gauge was off the scale as well.  

Although my dad drives a 2.2 vectra and he reckons the HG has gone and it has very few symptoms.  Haven't had a look myself but would trust his word every time when it comes to cars.

That said I would still expect more obvious symptoms on this engine.  Other thing to check if it was missing badly is that the wiring on the injectors is ok.  Can get very brittle on these cars and never brought up any codes when the wiring split on mine.  Just a thought...

Keep an eye on the oil level and the coolant.  When the head gasket goes on these it tends to cook the oil very quickly but you would expect the temp gauge to be off the scale.
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sefton

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Re: 2.0 Head gasket?
« Reply #13 on: 30 June 2008, 15:55:05 »

Thanks, I'll have a check around at all the things you suggest. Temp is pretty normal but it gas been using some water, but not loads.
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