Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[addy]

I have removed the head on the wifes 1995 2ltr (X20XEV) Omega, due to a knackered head gasket. The reason why I am asking if the head should be skimmed, is that some Vauxhall technical documents say not to, but everybody who have had gaskets go say get it skimmed. I can check the head surface with a straight edge, but cannot find the maximum allowed tolerance for it. If anyone has the measurement, I would be gratefull. Is there any other measurement I can also check beforehand incase it has been skimmed before I got it? I don't want to get it skimmed, if told it is safe to do only to find it has been done before and the head becomes no good.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Addy

[henryd]

I have removed the head on the wifes 1995 2ltr (X20XEV) Omega, due to a knackered head gasket. The reason why I am asking if the head should be skimmed, is that some Vauxhall technical documents say not to, but everybody who have had gaskets go say get it skimmed. I can check the head surface with a straight edge, but cannot find the maximum allowed tolerance for it. If anyone has the measurement, I would be gratefull. Is there any other measurement I can also check beforehand incase it has been skimmed before I got it? I don't want to get it skimmed, if told it is safe to do only to find it has been done before and the head becomes no good.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Addy

If its not been done before it should be fine,if it is bowed and taking out H/gasket its no good as it is anyway

[Enceladus]

The Haynes manual says the max distortion to the gasket face of a 2.0 16V is 0.05mm which is about 2 thou.
It doesn't state a range for total height or a minimum. Just 134mm for height. So nice and clear on how much can be removed, if any.

Did your engine over heat? If it did then it's more likely to be warped.

Where did you read that these heads shouldn't be skimmed?

[addy]

Hi Enceladus

This is one of the sites it says not to do it. I know it says astra but isn't x20xev engine the same?

https://workshop-manuals.com/vauxhall/vectra-b/j__engine_and_engine_aggregates/dohc_petrol_engine/cylinder_head/specifications/technical_data_cylinder_head_(x18xe_x20xev_c20sel_c22sel)/

Thanks
Addy

[addy]

Hopefully someone can help me? I have been looking at a replacement head, incase mine is beyond repair. I have found one, but the numbers don't match mine. The ebay one is 90 466 643, the one on mine is R90 400 173. When i looked online this comes up as on a  98-04 Vauxhall Astra G 2.0L SRI 130 Cylinder head R90400173. This seems strange as the wifes 2ltr Omega was first registered in 1995. Or could someone put a different head on? Do the numbers have to match or will any X20XEV head fit? I have been told that a 2.2 head fits, is this true? If the 2.2 head fits will all the 2.0 parts and ecu work ok?

This is the reconditioned one.  I have found https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-X20XEV-reconditioned-cylinder-head/223245267847

Thanks for any help. Sorry for all the questions, asking on here as more knowlegable people.

Addy

[Doctor Gollum]

R implies that it has already been replaced once

[addy]

Does that mean it needs a complete head or can mine be skimmed? If it cann't be skimmed will the one in the ebay link fit?

Thanks
Addy

[dave the builder]

Have you not checked the head you have accurately ?
is it deeply pitted or warped ,if not then why worry
did you examine the head gasket and find where it failed 
(rusty fire rings ? path to coolant passage ?)
x20xev is a fiber with fire ring gasket and a very forgiving head gasket but at 100k old age sets in .
the 2.2 is just a stroked 2.0 ,both 86mm bore iirc
a head that just has minor pitting and no warp I just do a manual sand 120,220
example video clicky

[addy]

Sorry for the image size. Ignore the end that is broke, I did that. It looks like it went on No4.

[addy]

This the condition of the head surface. The gasket looks like it went due to poor maintenance before the wife got it.

[dave the builder]

Looks like the old age ,rusty fire ring and fiber around water ways fail i'd expect 100k+ 
check with a steel rule for warp and see how deep the pitting is
unless it's very bad, i'd say a candidate to DIY deck/resurface it as per video link
I have a 5mm thick steel plate with emery spray mounted too  but modern glass is pretty flat, i do a circular motion and also turn the head round 180 degrees to even the process out .
as i said, those old style gaskets die of old age but a new one will cope with minor imperfections and pitting .
then you need to wash the head to remove any grit etc from the work.
may take a few hours but you'd be surprised how well it works,plus you save on machine costs.
never had a headgasket fail once i DIY decked it ,and that includes z14xep corsa head which is MLS gasket and requires a very fine surface,

but accurately measuring is the first step 

[dave the builder]

Just to add.....
a badly warped head is not worth skimming as it will not be uniform
a good machine shop can heat and true a head before skimming but it's a very expensive process. cheaper to buy a good used head

but from the pics , i think it's just old age gasket fail

[addy]

Thanks dave the builder

The engine has 129461 on the clock. It is mainly motorway, since the wife had it.

[dave the builder]

But, as well as mileage, it's had 15+ years of getting hot and cold,
plus,could have had periods of no antifreeze (which is also a corrosion inhibitor ) BEFORE you owned it 
I'd be surprised if there was any warp
but we won't know till it's measured 
(call me un-trusting cynic, but if you take it to a machine shop,they will say it is warped and needs expensive work. hence... i'd check it myself  )

[addy]

No your like me, I think the worst anything after that is a nice suprise .  Purchased a new steel rule today so can do recheck as my original rule is old.  In fairness to the shop they have said they will check level aswell before doing any work.