Head Gasket?

[Wilky 5]

I've an issue with my 1.9. The car has been running fine although it's not been driven much with it being restored. it started running rough and in short, started to smoke, now it won't start - head gasket??

 

Is there a how-to on here?

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

Have you done the checks to confirm failed HG?

 

Compression test? Oil/water mixed? Exhaust smell in the coolant?

[Alan77 78 1 Cars]

Losing coolant (with no obvious pipe leaks)? poor mpg? steamy white exhaust?

[Wilky 5]

It won't run now so I can't check the losing of coolant etc.

 

I'm doing a compression check on Monday

 

I've checked for spark which is present and its getting fuel but it won't start

 

There isn't water on the dipstick and can't see any traces of oil in the expansion tank. Whilst turning the engine there's a coffee coloured liquid spitting from the crankcase breather

[Wilky 5]

Can anyone point me in the direction of a how to guide on replacing the head gasket?

[Slo 283 1 Cars]

Take your plugs out and see if they're black/sooty this could create a weak spark or wet which could mean petrol flooding or water getting in. black smoke could be burning oil, plugs will tell you whats going on in all there scenarios

[Wilky 5]

I've taken the plugs out a couple of times and they were very carbon'd up plus a little wet from fuel - after turning these fine over for a while trying to start it

 

The smoke that was coming out when I did run was a mixture of blue and white, like oil and water.

 

I'm not familiar with peugeot engines although I've rebuilt Vauxhall engines and is be amazed if the head gasket isn't gone from what I know so I will do a compression test later

 

Again, is there a guide to changing it anywhere on this website?

[DamirGTI 358]

Could be cracked cylinder liner or head .. which won't show as a weak compression so , do an block/combustion leak test .

 

This will accurate and fast pinpoint the possibility of said failures .

 

D

 

http://www.205gti.com/downloads.htm

Edited May 13, 2013 by DamirGTI

[MikeC 10]

When mine went i found it was sucking water into the engine from the cooling system.

Also the pressure buildup in the coolant bottle was alot.

The car also did not overheat either.

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

Well, before taking the head off I would confirm the issue and compression test it at the least.

 

But swapping a HG is quite easy. It's just a faff.

 

Very briefly!

 

Remove ALL bits out of the way of the top of engine. Drain oil & water, remive downpipe, cam belt off, M55 Torx head bolts off. Remove head. Remove gasket, clean surfaces, reverse.

[Wilky 5]

I've done a compression test this evening and all seems ok, 180/155/190/190 psi

 

There's possibly a weak spark which could be why it isn't trying to start

[dcc 855]

Thats a dead engine on the compression test tbh

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

Yup. Big issues with that 155.

[Wilky 5]

Thats a dead engine on the compression test tbh

Really? What should it be about?

[welshpug 1,721]

All the same to a degree, isnt it glaringly obvious theres a problem given one is 35 psi lower???

[Tom Fenton 1,633]

All the gloom merchants are out today!

 

The compression test figures admittedly are not ideal, BUT, they are good enough that it should run reasonably well.

 

I would personally go through the ignition bits first off. I think with the ignition right it would run OK.

[Wilky 5]

All the same to a degree, isnt it glaringly obvious theres a problem given one is 35 psi lower???

No not really and having spoken to 3 people - one ex-Ford, one ex-Peugeot head technician who said the figures aren't drastic plus an enthusiast on here who has tested engines with bigger differences and found the engine to perform well - not necessarily

[Wilky 5]

All the gloom merchants are out today!

 

The compression test figures admittedly are not ideal, BUT, they are good enough that it should run reasonably well.

 

I would personally go through the ignition bits first off. I think with the ignition right it would run OK.

Thanks Tom, that is exactly what the Peugeot technician has said to try and as I'll be replacing all distributor cap, leads, plugs etc it's worth a try

[Tom Fenton 1,633]

Don't forget the ignition amp. I will have a look in my stash, I should have one you can borrow to test.

[dcc 855]

Good luck with sorting the ignition problem, cant help there. The drastic difference in that cylinder pressure though, i wouldnt bother trying to get it to run yet as youll have to strip it to resolve that issue. Its not doom amd gloom tom, its being presented with facts and making an educated response.

[Tom Fenton 1,633]

Yes to be right it will need some work but whether you like it or not the truth is that it will run acceptably well until such a time that the owner decides to do something about it, or not. Don't patronise me about an "educated response" when you state "dead engine" in a quick one liner and give no further insight.

[Wilky 5]

Don't forget the ignition amp. I will have a look in my stash, I should have one you can borrow to test.

 

Cheers Tom, that's been said as well as a possible.

[dcc 855]

Patronising is something which I wasn't aiming at - at all. I was simply stating the engine has a quite immediately obvious fault, and not addressing that first in my opinion is a false economy. Not sure why you've got upset over my statement. If you have a problem with the way in which I have replied then please don't hesitate to contact me through pm to raise your concerns. And I am sure you know as much as I do that the engine would run even with the distinct drop in compression, but it doesn't take away the fact that the issue is still there.

[Wilky 5]

Good luck with sorting the ignition problem, cant help there. The drastic difference in that cylinder pressure though, i wouldnt bother trying to get it to run yet as youll have to strip it to resolve that issue. Its not doom amd gloom tom, its being presented with facts and making an educated response.

 

So what's the cause of the issue then?? I wouldn't call your comment an educated response as you've not said what it could be! I know someone here who has between 10 and 14 bar, and that engine is far from dead.

 

It has been said to me that turning the engine over for a long time could result in fuel washing carbon down the bores and that could result in a lack of pressure in a cylinder

[dcc 855]

Could be rings, valves, headgasket. The education for my assumption came from the massive difference in compression figures. Never mind, ill step out now and await the future threads...