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[Brick Tamland]

Just got back from 13 straight hours in the omega after a 430 mile round trip.

With about 290 miles left it started overheating and idling rough, so, pulled over to have a look, expansion tank empty, stinking of exhaust fumes,white smoke and mayo on the dipstick, put water in and it starts bubbling 

Spent the next 290 miles at a steady 50 mph stopping every 10 mins or so to check add oil/water/money in the swear jar

So I'll be taking the head off tomorrow to see where it stands, first of all what could make it go after just 9000 miles?  :-?

And secondly what do I look out for on the head to see if it might need skimming?

So whats the record distance for a knackered HG

[deviator]

There are several reasons a HG can fail so soon...

1. Faulty/wrong Gasket
2, Block oil/water way (pressure build up)
3. Warped head
4. Dirt/debris in the way
5. Wrong torque settings/order (or over stretched bolts)

Did you have it skimmed last time? Or did you see any signs it had been skimmed before? As a head can only be skimmed twice. (normally).

See where it's gone and the hopefully the type of damage will help to suggest the fault.

[tunnie]

There are several reasons a HG can fail so soon...

1. Faulty/wrong Gasket
2, Block oil/water way (pressure build up)
3. Warped head
4. Dirt/debris in the way
5. Wrong torque settings/order (or over stretched bolts)

Did you have it skimmed last time? Or did you see any signs it had been skimmed before? As a head can only be skimmed twice. (normally).

See where it's gone and the hopefully the type of damage will help to suggest the fault.

The top of that list should be old coolant! Thats the biggest killer of 4 pot HG's, make sure the anti-freeze is changed regually & has a good 50/50 mix.

[Kevin Wood]

The top of that list should be old coolant! Thats the biggest killer of 4 pot HG's, make sure the anti-freeze is changed regually & has a good 50/50 mix.

Gasket's only been on there 9k so I would hope the coolant was OK.

I would say the head and block surfaces need some careful checking. Either that or the head's gone porous.

Kevin

[tunnie]

The top of that list should be old coolant! Thats the biggest killer of 4 pot HG's, make sure the anti-freeze is changed regually & has a good 50/50 mix.

Gasket's only been on there 9k so I would hope the coolant was OK.

I would say the head and block surfaces need some careful checking. Either that or the head's gone porous.

Kevin

Ah did'nt know it had already been done. I should really read the whole post 

Possibly the head was not cleaned up well enough to ensure a good seal?

[Brick Tamland]

What about going almost flat out for extended periods 

[KillerWatt]

What about going almost flat out for extended periods 

Define "almost flat out"

PS

Next time a car loses water on you, do NOT put water in while it is that hot. All that will achieve is to greatly increase the chances of even further damage.

[Kevin Wood]

What about going almost flat out for extended periods 

Define "almost flat out"

PS

Next time a car loses water on you, do NOT put water in while it is that hot. All that will achieve is to greatly increase the chances of even further damage.

Agreed. I stopped for a guy in a Frogeye at Le Mans once. Gave him some water which he poured straight in while the grease on the engine was still smoking. Came straight back out like a geyser!

Him: "it's a £30 a+ engine from a scrap yard. I don't care"

Me: "You're 500 miles and a ferry ride from home."   

I would have a careful look at the gasket when you get it off. See where it went. This will give you a clue as to the problem.

As it has overheated I would take the head to an engine workshops and get them to check it's true / skim as required.

Oh, and, in standard tune, an engine in good condition will take a lot of punishment, believe me.

Kevin

[Brick Tamland]

Right, its off, clynder No. 3 was wet, gasket split by it on the passenger side 

Head doesn't appear to be damaged/warped but will take it for a second much better opinion.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Right, its off, clynder No. 3 was wet, gasket split by it on the passenger side 

Head doesn't appear to be damaged/warped but will take it for a second much better opinion.

Post a picture of the head face so we can see if there is any wasteage around the coolant passages.

The fact its gone around a middle pot may hint at a warped head (check with a good straight edge!)

[Brick Tamland]

Right, its off, clynder No. 3 was wet, gasket split by it on the passenger side 

Head doesn't appear to be damaged/warped but will take it for a second much better opinion.

Post a picture of the head face so we can see if there is any wasteage around the coolant passages.

The fact its gone around a middle pot may hint at a warped head (check with a good straight edge!)

Just dropped it of at an engine specialist this morning to be pressure tested and skimmed if neccessary. He phoned earlier and said it was probably caused by overheating  :-?

I checked it before it went in with a steel ruler and appered to be fine, but I'll wait for the verdict tomorrow