95 Head Gasket

[sploosh]

Red warning light came on the other day when on the motorway (circa. 65mph - not tanking it)

I pulled over within seconds, saw the temperature just going to the red and turned off the engine - steam coming out of the header tank.

Car was towed to nearby garage who diagnosed "probably" water pump. Made sense to me so they've swapped it today - reasonable price.

They've phoned up to say they've done a "sniff test" and the head gasket has gone.

I'm waiting for a quote but I'm in two minds whether to take is somewhere else that I know and trust (Bagnall) for a second opinion as I know nothing about the garage where it is.

The car is running (as far as I'm aware) and I'd need to drive circa. 40 miles.

Am I likley to do any more damage (if indeed there is a problem) or should I be ok as long as I keep an eye on the temperature?

What do folks reckon?

[K321]

go and see Ray..!
edit to add- get the aa to take it there,(just in case).

Edited by K321 on Tuesday 16th February 20:03

[sploosh]

K321 said:

go and see Ray..!
edit to add- get the aa to take it there,(just in case).

I spoke to Ray earlier - knows his stuff!

His first comment was that he'd have checked the thermostat before looking at the water pump - £10 instead of £100+

Didn't seem surprised at the HGF diagnosis, but went on to tell me the checks he'd do to check if it needed skimming and how he always has a few extra heads on the shelf to pressure check - sort of detail that fills you with confidence.

The AA won't tow me from a garage to another garage hence the plan to drive.

The garage where it is is probably perfectly ok, I just don't know them and this is a potentially expensive job....