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[Elite Pete]

I bought a project MV6 with head gasket failure and knowing that they get miss diagnosed I thought it was worth a punt. I collected it yesterday and had a look this morning and there is water in the oil filler and on the dipstick but no oil in the water. Does this sound like head gasket failure to you?

Cheers in advance

[sounds2k]

is there any sludge in the expansion tank?

[tunnie]

if the expansion tank is clear and free from oil, then it does not good for oil cooler  

[JamesV6CDX]

See my post in General Chat..pasted below.

For what it's worth, my ametuer Advice...
 
Oil on dipstick is pointing to HeadG failure. If the car runs, it may be worth confirming this by either use of an exhaust sniffer in the header tank, or sticking your nose in there to see if you can smell exhaust fumes.
 
Any other symptoms? Steam/white smoke from exhaust?  
 
If you do have to strip the heads off (which I think you will) then don't panic, it's NOT a bad job. The key is to be methodical, work in a tidy environment, and take your time.
 
Bagpipes off, timing cover/belt/etc off, Plenum off, trumpets/inlet off, secondary air injection off, rocker covers off, coolant bridge and stat off... basically strip down everything in the way of the heads! Then off with the camshafts, (remove the bolts on the caps equally) .. and then off with the head bolts, and the head. There will be the DIS and connectors on the passenger side head.
 
You'll probably have to remove the passenger head FIRST, so you can access the solid coolant pipe at the back of the engine.. which will enable to remove the driver side head.
 
While it's apart - things to watch for.
 
1) Follow MARK DTM guide for checking the followers.
2) refit with new water pump and timing belt kit.
3) If the oil cooler is ok, re-seal the plate while it's accessible, and also renew all the coolant bridge sealing washers x4.
4) If leads are less than perfect, how is a good time to change them, along with new plugs.
 
Can't remember the head bolt torques, but I think the camshaft caps have to be done up to 8nm, and they have to be equally tightened, that's v important.
 
Only final point, is while heads are off, is your prime opportunity to get the manifolds on to them PERFECTLY! Remove all studs, make sure surfaces are flat on the head and the manifold, and refit with new studs. If you want them not to work loose, you'll have to torque in stages I believe GeffD said once.
 
While the heads are also off, if funds permit, get them pressure tested etc, do the valve stem seals, and make sure the mating surfaces are within limits.
 
Most of all, remember it's a project car, so don't sweat if it doesn't go to plan, and most of all HAVE FUN!!!
 
There's a lot to be learned from doing jobs like this.....
 
 

[Elite Pete]

is there any sludge in the expansion tank?

No the expansion tank is just clear water

[Elite Pete]

Oil filler and cap

[Auto Addict]

I dunno, I suppose the best way to find out is to drain the oil.

[JamesV6CDX]

As I said, check for hydrocarbons in the header tank or steam from the exhaust..

[Markjay]

Take out the oil cooler and have a look... you'll need to do some dismantling anyway if going down the head gasket route.

Usual HG checks include compression test and gas analyser in the coolant expansion tank.

[Elite Pete]

So how much is it going to cost me to do the head gaskets myself? Is it better to get the gaskets, seals from main stealer or are the ones on fleabay OK? If the ones from the Stealer are better has anyone got a TC card I can borrow .

[JamesV6CDX]

Ask Mark, he knows a great ebay supplier for good gaskets and head bolts.

I would use genuine VX rocker gaskets though, unless advised otherwise by mark or one of the experts..

[TheBoy]

Ask Mark, he knows a great ebay supplier for good gaskets and head bolts.

I would use genuine VX rocker gaskets though, unless advised otherwise by mark or one of the experts..

Not sure Mark would recommend pattern head bolts at the moment  

[JamesV6CDX]

Ask Mark, he knows a great ebay supplier for good gaskets and head bolts.

I would use genuine VX rocker gaskets though, unless advised otherwise by mark or one of the experts..

Not sure Mark would recommend pattern head bolts at the moment  

Couldn't resist that, could you Jaime....  

[Elite Pete]

Well it looks like im going to have a crack at the heads myself so fingers crossed

[Auto Addict]

Well it looks like im going to have a crack at the heads myself so fingers crossed

Best of luck