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[Erzy]

Noticed I was losing a small amount of coolant and thought the engine sounded a bit 'blowy' from cold so took it to my trusted garage, they gave it a sniff test and said the hydrocarbons in the expansion tank were off the scale. I've been quoted 350-400 for a full HG replacement. Does anyone know if this price sounds fair, moneys a bit tight at the moment. Also is there anyone out there who could attempt it for a little less? Far to big a job for me!

[acura]

Hi, I had my head gasket replaced recently on my 2.2 and the bill was £450. This also involved the head being passed to a specialist who had to deal with 2 exhaust manifold studs which wouldn't drill out, replacing all the remaining studs and skimming the head. On this basis I think your price for the gasket alone may be a little high, unless my price was competitive.

Get a few quotes but better still try and get a recommendation from someone who has had engine work done.

Good luck mate.

[Auto Addict]

Would the HBV not give the same symtoms?

[Erzy]

Is there anyway then to see if it is the HBV before I have to shell out 400smackers I a'int got     Any help from any local OOFers would be great.

[tunnie]

before you go spending that kind of money, make sure the garage is right!

1) is there any white smoke out of the exhaust on start up?

2) define 'blowy' - exhaust noise? Whats the condition of the exhaust flexi like (its bit after cat before it splits for the exhaust)

3) Does it miss-fire from cold start? Run lumpy, but then clear?

4) Is there water in the oil?

[Erzy]

Cheers tunnie, at work so i will check all of those in morning. Just to clarify, what is the best way to check for water in the oil ?

[tunnie]

Cheers tunnie, at work so i will check all of those in morning. Just to clarify, what is the best way to check for water in the oil ?

Check oil filter cap, slight bit of mayo (oil/water mix) is normal on that if car is used on short runs, and using some oils like castrol, best way is to look at the oil on the end of the dip stick for traces of water sitting in the oil

[Erzy]

Right then tunnie here's the latest :
1, Small amount of white smoke at start-up plus the odd water droplet.
2, Can,t get in to check flexi just yet.
3, Does sound lumpy on a cold start, lot quieter when warmed up.
4, I don't see any water in the oil at the end of my dipstick ?
The coolant loss is not massive at all but no signs of any leaks.

[Erzy]

Bit of background might help ;  Had to change exhaust manifold gasket last year, when the guy did it he noticed the studs had snapped and he damaged the head trying to drill them out. Anyway I was in dire straights so I purchased a full head gasket kit and a second hand head from a breaker. Someone recommmended to me then stripped the lot and put on the new gaskets/head. Thing is I know he wouldnt of skimmed the head.

[Abiton]

My standard advice for those who are anxious about their headgasket(s): Look down the sparkplug holes with the aid of a powerful little torch.

Do this some hours after it was last running, and make sure that any and all oil/fluid around the sparkplugs is mopped/syringed out before removing them.

Then look at the piston crowns through the plug holes, and see if there is fluid on any of them. They should look bone dry.
If there is any fluid, sample it with a bit of kitchen roll taped to a stick, smell and look at colour.  If it smells and looks like coolant, worry about the HG.

Seeemples. 

[david_omega]

you dont have to skim the head, long as they havent cooked the engine. I did a nice 2.2 just before xmas, we put a head from a trusted friend of mine (steve - omega spare parts - ebay guy @ heathrow), i had a friends dad sort the work out for me, and the bill was £225 plus the cost of the head
(but included the bits)  but given, that was mates rates, and yes one stud was a sod.

people will do it for under 400 but i would ask about first.

[david_omega]

note, i got a new head as mine did cook and the valves sounded like a whore in a knocking shop banging away!

[Erzy]

Got all of next week off work so if there is anyone who fancys taking a look to help me diagnose there's a big drink in it. Willing to drive as long as its not to the ends of the earth.  I'me not convinced its the HG as there is no mayo and my water loss is about half a cup full a month, and i only do short journeys to and from work ( about 10mins).

[tunnie]

Right then tunnie here's the latest :
1, Small amount of white smoke at start-up plus the odd water droplet.
2, Can,t get in to check flexi just yet.
3, Does sound lumpy on a cold start, lot quieter when warmed up.
4, I don't see any water in the oil at the end of my dipstick ?
The coolant loss is not massive at all but no signs of any leaks.

Does not sound good for the HG, as mentioned above, after its been left over night and is cold, get a torch and look down into the bores, look for water 

[tigers_gonads]

Got all of next week off work so if there is anyone who fancys taking a look to help me diagnose there's a big drink in it. Willing to drive as long as its not to the ends of the earth.  I'me not convinced its the HG as there is no mayo and my water loss is about half a cup full a month, and i only do short journeys to and from work ( about 10mins).

did your mate use NEW stretch bolts when he did the head for you or did he just re use the old ones ?