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[bored bigyin54]

  hi guys how can you tell a head gasget is gone on a 2.o no muck on oil filler cap no oil in water just water pipes going solid when warm??

[RobG]

Sounds like it`s overpressurising. Under normal running the coolant system is under constant pressure, but, if the system has a small leak it will allow coolant to be forced out under pressure, ie. engine under load.
However, when that pressure is reduced, ie. when the load is reduced then a vacuum is formed at the leak which will then suck in air.
Due to the fact that air expands when heated, get enough in the system (and it doesn't require much) and the system becomes overpressurised causing overheating problems.
Dead giveaways are rock hard coolant pipes pipes and a "hissing" from the coolant cap as it tries to vent off the excess pressure.

[RobG]

Sounds like it`s overpressurising or there`s a blockage. Under normal running the coolant system is under constant pressure, but, if the system has a small leak it will allow coolant to be forced out under pressure, ie. engine under load.
However, when that pressure is reduced, ie. when the load is reduced then a vacuum is formed at the leak which will then suck in air.
Due to the fact that air expands when heated, get enough in the system (and it doesn't require much) and the system becomes overpressurised causing overheating problems.
Dead giveaways are rock hard coolant pipes pipes and a "hissing" from the coolant cap as it tries to vent off the excess pressure.

[bored bigyin54]

  so do you think the head gasket is gone or not

[bored bigyin54]

  i forgot to say its the RAC who said the head gasket was gone

[adey2]

i used to work for a sub contractor of the aa, did the rac guy do a sniff test on it to confirm

[RobG]

i used to work for a sub contractor of the aa, did the rac guy do a sniff test on it to confirm

Inconclusive

[RobG]

so do you think the head gasket is gone or not

What`s the bottom hose doing Ralf?

[adey2]

are all pipes getting hot, id be more thinking along lines of thermostat or possible water pump if none getting warm

[RobG]

are all pipes getting hot, id be more thinking along lines of thermostat or possible water pump if none getting warm

OP says hose/s get warm, if a differential in temp between top & bottom hoses could possibly be rad core partial blockage

[bored bigyin54]

  as far as i know they are the same have to ask him in morning

[adey2]

yeah i was just thinking that it may be getting slightly warm off heat off engine rob

[RobG]

Need to run engine with expansion cap off (to prevent pressurising), get it up to temp and check warmth of top & bottom hoses, if coolant is circulating as it should, both hoses should be roughly the same temp, if not, blockage, which would give hard hoses

[Darth Loo-knee]

I have to agree with Rob sounds like over pressurising which can be a sign of a head gaskets failing.

I would not take everything the RAC/AA men tell you. Alot (not all so no disrespect to anyone that is one) have no clue. Have seen to many diagnose head gaskets etc which turnout nothing of the sort. Sniffer Tests do not always work either..

I must add this is in my opinion 

[adey2]

or make sure heater is blowing hot, shoould elliminate the water pump being problem