Head Gasket Advice

[Tony5496]

Hi can someone help I think the head gasket is on it's way out but don't want to get rid of the car been looking on eBay and see ther are lots of heads that have came of same engine as mine is it a case of just canging it with new bolts and gasket or is it still a very big job can some one tell me if this will work many thanks

[Blevins]

Havent changed a head on the galaxy or on anything since a triumph spitfire 15 years ago but if you do change it i would get your own head checked by an engineering shop and reskimmed if necessary in case its warped. Otherwise you run the risk of the same symptoms over again if its head-related.

[insanitybeard]

A specialist should be able to tell you if the head can be skimmed safely (if it is warped) without affecting anything, some heads (for particular engines) can't be skimmed (to my knowledge) because the clearances between pistons and valves are so tight removing material from the head would reduce the clearances to a dangerous level.

[chrispb123456]

Fords do state in the TIS that the head can't be skimmed but there's many member's have that have been done successfully providing it's not been done before as they can only take a small amount of metal off, I believe five thousands of an inch max, but of course you won't know till a machine shop can measure the head how much can be removed safely.

There are different thickness head gaskets that can compensate within limits. 

[Tony5496]

Hi thanks for the help have noticed the temperature gage playing about sits half way then drops down then back up to half way could this make it over heat or is this normal if head gasket is going many thanks great forum by the way :)

[chrispb123456]

No the gauge cannot make the engine overheat.

Edited March 23, 2014 by chrispb123456

[BrianH]

Are you actually losing any water from the cooling system? or seeing signs of it showing up elsewhere?

[dave1981]

This is my first post on here as a new member so be gentle lol ;-)

My mrs has a mk2 galaxy 1.9 tdi ghia on a 51 plate,

She has a loss of water but no signs of head gasket failure. Car has to be topped up before most journeys and it only seems to lose water when vehicle is being used. Im guessing at water pump leaking but have looked underneath and can't see any leaks while car is running or not running. Any ideas where to look? Thanks

[chrispb123456]

Have you looked at the pipe work that goes to the rear heater underneath the car

When you take the cap off when the engines cold is there any pressure there.

[Tony5496]

Hi all thanks yes I can't see a leak from anywhere what can make it overheat I know the head is on it's way so what makes it boil up many thanks

[BrianH]

Does the fan actually come on (the one behind the radiator?) If its not that then either the cooling system could be full of crud and needing flushing, or the thermostat isn't opening at the right temp. Or its leaking somewhere and not ending up with enough coolant in the system.

 

Also if your topping up with water only this will dilute the coolant which isn't a good thing....

[xavier]

When was the water pump last changed?

[dave1981]

Chris will try pipe work tomorrow and yes there is pressure when cap is removed.

not sure when water pump was last done as we bought it last year without any history:-(

I have checked underneath engine bay and above vehicle when cold and when running but can't see anything leaking. The fans work and when there is water in there it drives faultless and temp gauge is fine. One thing that does happen is every time the car is started the climate control comes on automatically even if we turn it off before we turn the engine off. I cant see it being ect sensor leaking as surely this would put engine management light on dash. Ill have a good luck over the next few days and hopefully come up with a simple solution (fingers crossed). Thanks for the replies everyone. Any more ideas let me know.

Edited March 25, 2014 by dave1981

[chrispb123456]

Hi Dave1981

 

I know your new to this forum, you need to start your own post by clicking on "start new topic"  that way you will get replies just to your problem, I know your problem is similar to the topic started by Tony5496 but as he's still getting replies it will get very confusing.

Once you have started your new topic the moderator will move your first posts so they all appear together in your topic. 

[gregers]

yep confuzzed.

who's replying to what?

[chrispb123456]

yep confuzzed.

who's replying to what?

:16:  You get confoozed Greg, can't believe that.