Headgasket Gone - Any Tips

[shalmaneser 26]

Hi All,

 

my 16v conversion has been reliable as you like for the last two years but a few weeks ago my luck ran out.

 

After some misfires when starting and a slightly higher running temperature I bit the bullet and used an exhaust gas sniffer on the header tanks. Result - combustion gasses in the coolant.

 

Aaaaaaanyway, I was wondering if anyone had any top tips when it comes to the job.

 

I'm a bit in of a quandry over whether or not to get the head skimmed - it's never overheated and is running perfectly (other than the misfire on starting) so I'm tempted to put a straight edge on the bugger and get the feeler gauges out. Has anyone had any success with this method or and I just going to regret it?

 

Getting the head skimmed and rebuilt is a lot of cash I'd like to avoid spending, but only if I can do so any have a reliable fix. I also know that tolerances are tight with valves and pistons so I'm anxious not to end up with any bent valves.

 

Also any tips for preparation of the block when it comes to reassembly?

 

And can anyone recommend any head places down south (winchester/southampton way) that are good for skimming rebuilding?

 

Thanks.

 

Adam.

[Anthony 1,000]

Get the head checked and skimmed as required as a matter of course - false economy not to frankly, as it's not particularly expensive in the grand scheme of things (I think the last head I had done was £50 to be checked, skimmed and chemically cleaned).

 

Miles is probably the best person to suggest someone down that way, as I know he had a headache finding someone decent after the last place he used closed.

[kyepan 291]

i used Paul Gardias for my head he did a great job, he's a bit of a treck from you being in whitney oxfordshire.

But i would recommend him.

He also recut my liner seats, faced my block, and did 3 angle seats for my head

[DamirGTI 329]

Always get the aluminium head skimmed when ever disassembling it ... it doesn't necessary "need" to be overheated to became uneven surface , the head bolt torque force effect the surface as well on ally heads (twist/bend the base a little bit .. especially if the OE torque specs are a bit higher and with stretch bolt setup) ..

 

Sometimes you can get away with it , but once you end up doing the same thing twice for the sake of the cost of skimming there will be a lot of swearing words !

 

 

Damir

[Baz 421]

Nick @ AMS isn't too far i wouldn't have thought.

 

It's only going to need a very small clean/flattening skim, wouldn't worry about it.

ALWAYS skim the head IMO, flase economy not to and i know some, even supposedly repuatble people would disagree.

[welshpug 1,629]

Agreed, especially with age now adding corrosion into the mix, though please make sure they know the maximum amount recommended to remove from these heads, and do use a repair gasket if the max is taken.

[ablister 31]

Perfect timing to get headgasket problems

 

Get a good quality headgasket, timing belt kit, water pump etc; basically the best you can afford, you won't be wasting any money fitting good parts!

[shalmaneser 26]

Yeah that's the response I was expecting TBH! Will get it Skimmed and obviously use a repair gasket, can't wait to be out in the cold skinning my knuckles again!

[Karl 15 1 Cars]

welcome to my world haha