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[Kiksomass]

On M1 south earlier,first EML came on,second, coolant level-check so I pulled over and it was running rough and I had lost all coolant. Went to turn it over again....solid. No water in oil, so yep,you guessed it, head gasket. Called someone out and on removing 4th plug it was soaked. Turned it over and a huge fountain of water came out at the gearbox end of the block.
My first question is do these 4 pots need head skimming?
Second, is it a difficult job and what am I likely to encounter?
And third,if I took it to VX,ball park,what am I looking at cost wise?
I'm well disappointed.Only just had it serviced last week and now I need yet another coolant/oil change

[tunnie]

On M1 south earlier,first EML came on,second, coolant level-check so I pulled over and it was running rough and I had lost all coolant. Went to turn it over again....solid. No water in oil, so yep,you guessed it, head gasket. Called someone out and on removing 4th plug it was soaked. Turned it over and a huge fountain of water came out at the gearbox end of the block.
My first question is do these 4 pots need head skimming?
Second, is it a difficult job and what am I likely to encounter?
And third,if I took it to VX,ball park,what am I looking at cost wise?
I'm well disappointed.Only just had it serviced last week and now I need yet another coolant/oil change

1) Yes if it over-heated
2) fairly straight forward, good space to work with, nothing special
3) just don't, quotes will be in 4 figures, DIY its about £150

[PhilRich]

Not a hard job at all on a 4 pot, i did mine on my drive in freezing weather with the minimum of tools, but it is worth buying/borrowing a angle dail (£10 on e-bay)for your torque wrench and a cam locking tool (plastic gismo, costs about £6-7). You can check your head for warping with a steel ruler/straight edge, but if it is warped, it should only cost £30-50 at an engineering shop. Please only use GENUINE VX head bolts & gaskets/head gasket as you have peace of mind for not that much more than iffy pattern stuff costs. It took me a weekend & £240 to do mine (inc. head skim) & i'm far from fit & healthy LOL. I would also change the thermostat at the same time if I was you (stat only, not the complete stat+ body). Make sure you label everything before dismantling it & if poss. take loads of photos of the engine from every angle & every part as you dismantle it, it will make it easier to put it all back together. Also buy a roll of food bags & a felt pen from your local £1 shop to hold the cam caps & followers & number & label each one. Be methodic, think twice before removing/refitting anything, and above all, make sure everything is CLEAN before refitting. Let me know how you get on

[PhilRich]

On M1 south earlier,first EML came on,second, coolant level-check so I pulled over and it was running rough and I had lost all coolant. Went to turn it over again....solid. No water in oil, so yep,you guessed it, head gasket. Called someone out and on removing 4th plug it was soaked. Turned it over and a huge fountain of water came out at the gearbox end of the block.
My first question is do these 4 pots need head skimming?
Second, is it a difficult job and what am I likely to encounter?
And third,if I took it to VX,ball park,what am I looking at cost wise?
I'm well disappointed.Only just had it serviced last week and now I need yet another coolant/oil change

1) Yes if it over-heated
2) fairly straight forward, good space to work with, nothing special
3) just don't, quotes will be in 4 figures, DIY its about £150

[/highlight]





My total costs included buying a garage creeper, axle stands and hydraulic jack, together with the bits already mentioned and other bits & pieces.If you already have a comprehensive toolkit, then Tunnie's figure is more accurate 

[tunnie]

On M1 south earlier,first EML came on,second, coolant level-check so I pulled over and it was running rough and I had lost all coolant. Went to turn it over again....solid. No water in oil, so yep,you guessed it, head gasket. Called someone out and on removing 4th plug it was soaked. Turned it over and a huge fountain of water came out at the gearbox end of the block.
My first question is do these 4 pots need head skimming?
Second, is it a difficult job and what am I likely to encounter?
And third,if I took it to VX,ball park,what am I looking at cost wise?
I'm well disappointed.Only just had it serviced last week and now I need yet another coolant/oil change

1) Yes if it over-heated
2) fairly straight forward, good space to work with, nothing special
3) just don't, quotes will be in 4 figures, DIY its about £150

[/highlight]





My total costs included buying a garage creeper, axle stands and hydraulic jack, together with the bits already mentioned and other bits & pieces.If you already have a comprehensive toolkit, then Tunnie's figure is more accurate 

Sorry yes should have said thats with decent set of tools, but halfords 150 pc set, and you should be fine.

[Kiksomass]

Definately no over heating went on So I'm guessing head should be ok. I have a decent torque wrench but the thought of removing the cambelt doesn't inspire me. I don't have a locking tool either.
I'm waiting for someone to get back to me to do the job, so I may hold off for a couple of days until he does. meanwhile is it best to remove the plugs and any water left? I don't want corrosion in the cylinders if I will be leaving it for a few days.

[TheBoy]

DIY it, pull head off, measure it then.

Sure tunnie will lend you his locking wedge

[tunnie]

indeed, got spare wedge here (but will need it for when mine goes  )

Almost confident enough to tackle one now after seeing father tunnies 2.2 being done, its quite straight forward, its just the cambelt which makes me nervous

[PhilRich]

There really isn't anything to worry about. Believe me, if I can do it, a MONKEY can do it! By the way, that isn't a reference to the fact I live in Hartlepool!
As said, do it yourself. The sense of self satisfaction & achievement when you complete a job like this immense, you couldn't buy that sense of smugness for love nor money

[TheBoy]

indeed, got spare wedge here (but will need it for when mine goes  )

Almost confident enough to tackle one now after seeing father tunnies 2.2 being done, its quite straight forward, its just the cambelt which makes me nervous

you need engine in safe position to pull head off (90 before tdc), so no need for nerves

[Kiksomass]

Thanks guys. I'm going outside now to assess or bottle out. Stupid head gaskets....I will let you know how I get on. :-/

[tunnie]

indeed, got spare wedge here (but will need it for when mine goes  )

Almost confident enough to tackle one now after seeing father tunnies 2.2 being done, its quite straight forward, its just the cambelt which makes me nervous

you need engine in safe position to pull head off (90 before tdc), so no need for nerves

Its the setting of TDC, and releasing the cams which scares me, the actual removal of them is ok

[TheBoy]

indeed, got spare wedge here (but will need it for when mine goes  )

Almost confident enough to tackle one now after seeing father tunnies 2.2 being done, its quite straight forward, its just the cambelt which makes me nervous

you need engine in safe position to pull head off (90 before tdc), so no need for nerves

Its the setting of TDC, and releasing the cams which scares me, the actual removal of them is ok

No, set crank to 90 btdc, then you can release cams (gently!). Pistons halfway down, so valves are safe.

When putting back on, put cams into tdc position, and lock, then wind crank to tdc, then pop on the belt.

[tunnie]

  Its that bit which gets me really, i am confident enough to strip everything else down. When mine goes will have a bash myself 

[dbug]

Its that bit which gets me really, i am confident enough to strip everything else down. When mine goes will have a bash myself 

Careful Tunnie - its knowing where to bash it