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[tunnie]

Hi everyone I've got a question.

When the head gasket fails does this mean that coolant will pour out of the engine really fast?

It does on mine.

depends where it failes.... i suspect not. Its rare for the fire rings to go to that extent it gushes out.

I would think its the oil cooler plate.

Are we talking large volumes of water here? could be the HBV / cooler plate.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Hi everyone I've got a question.

When the head gasket fails does this mean that coolant will pour out of the engine really fast?

It does on mine.

depends where it failes.... i suspect not. Its rare for the fire rings to go to that extent it gushes out.

I would think its the oil cooler plate.

Are we talking large volumes of water here? could be the HBV / cooler plate.

You need to consider the failure possabilities.

If the gasket material beteen the coolant jacket and head edge fils then you could get quite a torrent.

Clearly the fire rings are holding up or it would be running like a sack of shite!

Hence the sudgestion to K seal it, we are only trying to hold some water pressure and not cylidner pressure.

As for bits:

4 dowty washers for coolant bridge
cam cover gasket
head gasket
exhaust manifold gasket
Manifold to front pipe gasket

To save a bit I have some head bolts (new) and we can re-use the cam seals. I also have all the required sealents.

What we need to consider is are we doing both sides or just one!

[CaptainZok]

Hi everyone I've got a question.

When the head gasket fails does this mean that coolant will pour out of the engine really fast?

It does on mine.

depends where it failes.... i suspect not. Its rare for the fire rings to go to that extent it gushes out.

I would think its the oil cooler plate.

Are we talking large volumes of water here? could be the HBV / cooler plate.

You need to consider the failure possabilities.

If the gasket material beteen the coolant jacket and head edge fils then you could get quite a torrent.

Clearly the fire rings are holding up or it would be running like a sack of naffe!

Hence the sudgestion to K seal it, we are only trying to hold some water pressure and not cylidner pressure.

As for bits:

4 dowty washers for coolant bridge
cam cover gasket
head gasket
exhaust manifold gasket
Manifold to front pipe gasket

To save a bit I have some head bolts (new) and we can re-use the cam seals. I also have all the required sealents.

What we need to consider is are we doing both sides or just one!

From last nights picture, do you think the cooler plate may need doing at the same time?

[Kate]

The coolant gushes out so fast it runs down the street!

The engine has lots of power and drives great.

Haven't noticed any smoke.

There was no oil in the coolant but there was a bad oil leak.

The leak seemed to start all of a sudden if that makes any difference?

Where would I get those parts from?

Thanks!

[Kate]

By the way, this might sound like a stupid question, are there 2 head gaskets?

[Elite Pete]

By the way, this might sound like a stupid question, are there 2 head gaskets?

Yep.

If you have Green Flag recovery, I would set off and get as far as possible before the temp gauge gets to the red and call them and ask them to take trailer you to Shifnal, at least it will be free

[Kate]

Hopefully, I'll make it all the way!

[Entwood]

Hopefully, I'll make it all the way!

Given the rate at which you say it's leaking I'd be VERY cautious ..

You MUST keep a VERY careful eye on the temperature guage and stop as soon as it starts to climb, or you risk much more damage.

Once you stop DO NOT just open the header tank to top up, this will drop the pressure rapidly causing the water to boil. This is DANGEROUS to YOU, and can cause more damage. Wait at least 30 minutes for the thing to cool down before topping up.

Do NOT use motorways as it is difficult/dangerous to stop and top up water on the hard shoulder.

Obviously you will have to carry quite a lot of spare water, make sure you have florescent jacket as well to wear whilst outside the car.

Allow LOTS of time and take a good book to read while things cool down. Ensure your mobile is fully charged and handy.

I would advise against travelling alone.

Sorry to be such a "wet blanket" .. but your safety must be a concern. You are driving a "problem" car .. please don't make the problems worse by not preparing for the journey.

I go with the drive a short distance - call Green Flag option ...

[Kate]

Entwood you are totally right about being careful.

To be honest my partner has given me nothing but earache about this.

Maybe I should scrap the car and save everyone the bother?

I really like being an oofer and enjoy watching (and trying to help) my mig get fixed but I just seem to get an ear bashing everyday.

No matter what I would definitely get another mig cos you guys are great!

[Entwood]

I don't mean to put you off having the car fixed ... not in any way ... I just don't want anything daft to happen on the way to getting the fix !!

The Green Flag option if available is the easiest, next would be a trailer move, after that the long slow drive.

The fix is probably not difficult ( I don't subscribe to the HG failure -if the car runs OK its probably not a HG) - but its just amatter of logistics...

Once sorted you'll have a car to enjoy and be proud of  

[Marks DTM Calib]

Hi everyone I've got a question.

When the head gasket fails does this mean that coolant will pour out of the engine really fast?

It does on mine.

depends where it failes.... i suspect not. Its rare for the fire rings to go to that extent it gushes out.

I would think its the oil cooler plate.

Are we talking large volumes of water here? could be the HBV / cooler plate.

You need to consider the failure possabilities.

If the gasket material beteen the coolant jacket and head edge fils then you could get quite a torrent.

Clearly the fire rings are holding up or it would be running like a sack of naffe!

Hence the sudgestion to K seal it, we are only trying to hold some water pressure and not cylidner pressure.

As for bits:

4 dowty washers for coolant bridge
cam cover gasket
head gasket
exhaust manifold gasket
Manifold to front pipe gasket

To save a bit I have some head bolts (new) and we can re-use the cam seals. I also have all the required sealents.

What we need to consider is are we doing both sides or just one!

From last nights picture, do you think the cooler plate may need doing at the same time?

I always re-seal the coolers any way when doing heads as its so easy to do!

Where are the pics?

[Marks DTM Calib]

I don't mean to put you off having the car fixed ... not in any way ... I just don't want anything daft to happen on the way to getting the fix !!

The Green Flag option if available is the easiest, next would be a trailer move, after that the long slow drive.

The fix is probably not difficult ( I don't subscribe to the HG failure -if the car runs OK its probably not a HG) - but its just amatter of logistics...

Once sorted you'll have a car to enjoy and be proud of  

There are many ways a headgasket can fail, it does not have to involve the fire rings!

[Kate]

I'll put some more pics on today.

[Kate]

Went to take some more pics and the bonnet is jammed.

I'm going to get rid of it as it's not worth the hassle.

[Elite Pete]

Entwood you are totally right about being careful.

To be honest my partner has given me nothing but earache about this.

Maybe I should scrap the car and save everyone the bother?

I really like being an oofer and enjoy watching (and trying to help) my mig get fixed but I just seem to get an ear bashing everyday.

No matter what I would definitely get another mig cos you guys are great!

Tell me about it, my wife never stops

Get your partner to push down on the front of the bonnet while you pull the lever