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[BgBLizard]

Hi All

My son has a 2.0 16V CDX face lift on a 2000 plate which has been using a lot of water recently but not leaking. We took the head off the weekend and now have some questions if anyone could help with it would be appreciated.

Firstly three of the cylinders have carbon deposits but look normal but pot number 4 for is very clean and almost golden in colour. Is this due to the head gasket or do we have another issue?

What is the best way to check that the head is straight?

Are there any jobs recommended while we have the thing apart?

Also we have noticed that the exhaust manifold is cracked as we suspected before we stripped it and would like to know if this is a common issue so we could use a second hand replacement?

Thanks in advance

Andy

[Andy B]

.....
Firstly three of the cylinders have carbon deposits but look normal but pot number 4 for is very clean and almost golden in colour. Is this due to the head gasket or do we have another issue? .......

The failed gasket will be the reason why that cylinder is nice & clean, it's just had a high pressure steam bath. No 6 on my Senator was exactly the same when the head gasket failed. 

Most engine rebuilders will skim the head to cover their bum, but in reality you'll probably get away with out doing so - your call  You need a large surface table & Engineers Blue to check it flat if you don't skim it. I'd probably leave it as it is.

[Andy B]

....
Are there any jobs recommended while we have the thing apart?
 ......

Where's the 'edit' button when you want it? 

You might as well lap valves in while you're at it, & may be replace valve stem seals too.

[Abiton]

Seems to be a common failure on the X20XEV, coolant squeezing past the fire ring of pot 4.

Having had it myself, and repaired without skimming the head, I would say do get it skimmed a touch.  I got a trusted mechanic to check the head and give it the all clear, and he said he'd be perfectly happy to re-fit it without a skim. So I did.  However, 2 years/20000miles down the line the same thing started happening again, very gradually over a few months.  Since the car is on borrowed time anyway, I've used K-seal; and to my considerable surprise, it's holding at the moment.  Don't suppose it will for long though.

I would do the stem seals too while it's apart, unless it's not using any oil at all.

Exhaust manifold cracking is very common too on the 4-cylinder Omegas.  If it is actually leaking, replace with a good secondhand one, having checked the head-mounting face for flatness first (and adjusted as required).   (Exh.) Stud breakage is also common, so probably best to replace all while head is off and access easy.
Multilayer steel exhaust gasket from Vauxhall highly recommended, instead of any fibre type.
Various other parts like camshaft oil seals and camcover gasket should be bought genuine from Vx too, although I think I've seen it suggested that the camshaft seals can be reused?

 

Good time to do cambelt and waterpump change unless it's been done rather recently.

[PhilRich]

All the above, plus a good time to check HBV whilst it's extra easy to get at. Also clean/inspect the EGR or even blank it off? As Abiton suggests, I would replace both the inlet & exhaust manifold studs with new as a matter of course given their low cost 

[BgBLizard]

Cheers all for your help all taken in. Going to get started and keep her going for a bit hopfully.

Just one last question would a 2.2 exhaust manifold fit his engine as the inlet has both sizes stamped on it?

Thanks again

Andy

[PhilRich]

Cheers all for your help all taken in. Going to get started and keep her going for a bit hopfully.

Just one last question would a 2.2 exhaust manifold fit his engine as the inlet has both sizes stamped on it?

Thanks again

Andy

AFAIK the only difference between the 2.0l & 2.2l is an extra stud hole in the 2.2 manifold?

[PhilRich]

Here's a piccy