1.9 MI16 Possible headgasket issue

[001ben 0]

Hi All,

 

Now that  I have managed to get the pug started i can confirm that the coolant is going into the engine even tho it's supposedly has had a new gasket!

 

Is there anyway to identify whether it's a lining issue or headgasket - I dont have an oil cooler and I dont want to take the engine out if its a head gasket only.

 

Thetes no coolant coming out of the engine that i can see so i dont think its cracked anywhere. Its not holding any pressure either.

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

[Tom Fenton 1,620]

Take the sump off, put coolant in and do a pressure test. If its liner seals then you will be able to see coolant leaking into the crankcase area.

[petert 630]

Possibly insufficient liner protrusion. If so, it will leak regardless of a new head gasket. I’d pull the engine out and investigate more thoroughly. Those things are so old now.

[001ben 0]

On 2/2/2026 at 9:34 AM, Tom Fenton said:

Take the sump off, put coolant in and do a pressure test. If its liner seals then you will be able to see coolant leaking into the crankcase area.

That sounds like a good approach and will be straight forward to do.

[001ben 0]

16 hours ago, petert said:

Possibly insufficient liner protrusion. If so, it will leak regardless of a new head gasket. I’d pull the engine out and investigate more thoroughly. Those things are so old now.

This is the dilemma, whether to pull it out and replace the liners, bearings etc etc .

 

For quickness obviously gasket replacement would be quickest but part of me thinks that due to the age this would be the best approach. Given the head has been redone recently it would be a good engine wants done.

[Richie-Van-GTi 79 2 Cars]

Regardless of the test the engine will have to come apart to fix it so just bite the bullet, strip the engine and have it rebuilt fully.