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[raywilb]

well finally lifted the head off . the head gasket that was on looked in pretty good condition. on the near side there was evidence of water ingress. I cannot see anything by looking but I have a concern the head may cracked. I spoke about the 3 pints of coolant in the sump. well since then the 2pts of clear water found its way into the sump & header tank is empty. I have got two prices for pressure test & skim. one firm want to charge £100 + vat. the other is £40 + vat, a big difference between the two. now this is my quandary I can buy a head which is good, complete with the cams & even cam cover for just a little over the price of my lowest quote for a skim.     what I forgot to say on removal of head I expected a bit of resistance on the head bolts but there wasn't really.  new head or old one pressure tested, ?

[Mr Gav]

Get the head tested, if it fails you have found your problem, if it passes then you need to look elsewhere for the water ingress, buying another head is false economy unless you can actually see a crack in the head.

[raywilb]

Get the head tested, if it fails you have found your problem, if it passes then you need to look elsewhere for the water ingress, buying another head is false economy unless you can actually see a crack in the head.

I know it may seem stupid but the head I can get is a good one, it will be delivered & only a few quid more than having the one I took off to be pressure tested & skimmed which if turns out to be no good I would still have to source another one. plus its a 20mile round trip & a two day wait if I decide on pressure testing mine.

[baggers]

How do you know it's a good head? is it off someone you know or is it advertised as "good". either way I wouldn't be fitting it without a pressure test and light skim.

[Shackeng]

well finally lifted the head off . the head gasket that was on looked in pretty good condition. on the near side there was evidence of water ingress. I cannot see anything by looking but I have a concern the head may cracked. I spoke about the 3 pints of coolant in the sump. well since then the 2pts of clear water found its way into the sump & header tank is empty. I have got two prices for pressure test & skim. one firm want to charge £100 + vat. the other is £40 + vat, a big difference between the two. now this is my quandary I can buy a head which is good, complete with the cams & even cam cover for just a little over the price of my lowest quote for a skim.    what I forgot to say on removal of head I expected a bit of resistance on the head bolts but there wasn't really.  new head or old one pressure tested, ?

This concerns me. i.e. was it tightened to the correct torque, or overtightened and the bolts stretched? Either could possibly have allowed coolant across the head gasket.

[raywilb]

well finally lifted the head off . the head gasket that was on looked in pretty good condition. on the near side there was evidence of water ingress. I cannot see anything by looking but I have a concern the head may cracked. I spoke about the 3 pints of coolant in the sump. well since then the 2pts of clear water found its way into the sump & header tank is empty. I have got two prices for pressure test & skim. one firm want to charge £100 + vat. the other is £40 + vat, a big difference between the two. now this is my quandary I can buy a head which is good, complete with the cams & even cam cover for just a little over the price of my lowest quote for a skim.    what I forgot to say on removal of head I expected a bit of resistance on the head bolts but there wasn't really.  new head or old one pressure tested, ?

.


This concerns me. i.e. was it tightened to the correct torque, or overtightened and the bolts stretched? Either could possibly have allowed coolant across the head gasket.

as said bolts seemed easy to loosen. but I have been thinking along the lines you suggest. but then there is no sign of water going into pots or oilways.

[Mr Gav]

Get the head tested, if it fails you have found your problem, if it passes then you need to look elsewhere for the water ingress, buying another head is false economy unless you can actually see a crack in the head.

I know it may seem stupid but the head I can get is a good one, it will be delivered & only a few quid more than having the one I took off to be pressure tested & skimmed which if turns out to be no good I would still have to source another one. plus its a 20mile round trip & a two day wait if I decide on pressure testing mine.

And what if the head you get is good and you still have the problem?

You will have two good heads and still getting water in the sump, so more money spent. Getting your head tested will either confirm that the head is the problem or confirm the problem lies elsewhere, buying another head will do neither.

[Marks DTM Calib]

If it was me......

I would get the known good second hand head, clean and refurb it (valves out, close inspection, check head for true with straight edge, blank coolant ports and fill with water as a basic crack test).

I would do a basic block crack test by filling with water (again any open outlets plugged) and watching for leaks.

As for cost, your high price is expensive, I used to pay 20-25 for a skim and a pressure test takes no time to do on top of this so a further 10-20 for that

[raywilb]

If it was me......

I would get the known good second hand head, clean and refurb it (valves out, close inspection, check head for true with straight edge, blank coolant ports and fill with water as a basic crack test).

I would do a basic block crack test by filling with water (again any open outlets plugged) and watching for leaks.

As for cost, your high price is expensive, I used to pay 20-25 for a skim and a pressure test takes no time to do on top of this so a further 10-20 for that

I purchased the head last night. arrives Saturday , so fingers crossed.