Cracked/warped head or HG Failure

Cracked/warped head or HG Failure

Author
Discussion

clarkmagpie

Original Poster:

3,583 posts

200 months

Tuesday 17th January 2012
quotequote all
Well the car has been in and out of the garage for water leak/temp faults for the last couple of months.

Back in again at the moment frown

They have tried various things.
They are struggling to actually find any sort of water leak but we seem to be constantly topping it up.
Temp gauge reads 85 one min then upto 110 the next then down to 90, basically all over the place.

They have tested the coolant for exhaust gasses and are getting a high reading (90?)

They are replacing the thermostat as saying this could be the problem...

They have briefly mentioned HG failure but dont think its this.
Also damaged head has also been briefly mentioned.
Now if its the more serious of faults...How much roughly are we looking at £££ wise?

The contingency fund is about to be used on the TVR so might have to shuffle the pennies around frown

Edit to add...
S2 1.8 K-series! 52 plate.

Edited by clarkmagpie on Tuesday 17th January 20:47

TIPPER

2,955 posts

224 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
clarkmagpie said:
Well the car has been in and out of the garage for water leak/temp faults for the last couple of months.

Back in again at the moment frown

They have tried various things.
They are struggling to actually find any sort of water leak but we seem to be constantly topping it up.
Temp gauge reads 85 one min then upto 110 the next then down to 90, basically all over the place.

They have tested the coolant for exhaust gasses and are getting a high reading (90?)

They are replacing the thermostat as saying this could be the problem...

They have briefly mentioned HG failure but dont think its this.
Also damaged head has also been briefly mentioned.
Now if its the more serious of faults...How much roughly are we looking at £££ wise?

The contingency fund is about to be used on the TVR so might have to shuffle the pennies around frown

Edit to add...
S2 1.8 K-series! 52 plate.

Edited by clarkmagpie on Tuesday 17th January 20:47
Sniffer test (exhaust gases) suggests HGF. It could, of course, be cracked head or block! (but HGF more likely on K series). Sorry mate, but your garage sounds clueless. Take to someone that knows what they're doing and won't rip you off. Where are you geographically?

wacattack

576 posts

230 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
What garage have you taken it to?

clarkmagpie

Original Poster:

3,583 posts

200 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
Normally they are pretty good but on this occasion they do appear to be struggling.
Located on outskirts of Carlisle and the garage is at Smithfield.

Fingers crossed!

bordseye

2,019 posts

197 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
The sniffer test looks for combustion by products in the water and it has found them, so there is a leak from the cylinders into the waterways. If it were gasket then the leak should be obvious on the surface of the gasket and head / block. If it isnt then suspect cracked head - which needs sending off for pressure testing. Replacement heads from a scrappie should not be difficult to find.

I sympathise with your location out in the sticks - same problem here. But there will be a garage somewhere near that is capable of more taxing work than an oil change. Alternatively try one of the specialists and trailer the car there.


clarkmagpie

Original Poster:

3,583 posts

200 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Well a slight update...

Thermostat has proved to be a bugger of a job to get too, they have checked the C Head and have recommended getting it skimmed while everything is accessible.
So that's been sent away and more gaskets ordered.

Cylinder 3 is showing signs of water ingress at some point, all the other cylinders are carboned up and 3 is pretty clean.
It did have a fault code for cylinder 3 misfire, fault cleared so, again...

Back in 2009 it had HG replaced with new sort and head skimmed.

We'll see what the outcome is, not feeling overly optimistic mind.

Loudman

381 posts

221 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Sounds like a good excuse for a Honda upgrade. I'm kind of hoping mine goes so I've got an excuse.......

clarkmagpie

Original Poster:

3,583 posts

200 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Lol, Looks like it will be fixed up and sold frown
It's the wifes car and she wants something practical and reliable.
Will fight tooth and nail to keep it though, its a great stable mate for the Griff smile

saaby93

32,038 posts

183 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Do they know what they're looking for?
The thermostat is undo 1 screw for the dipstick, 2 screws securing the thermostat pipe to the block and yank it out, it's only a push fit connector
Does it have an aftermarket thermostat near the rear right sill?
If it's a 111S is there an extra working water pump near gearbox?
Nice things to work on (they need TLC) but not much of a trusty work horse

pmjg66

2,719 posts

219 months

Friday 20th January 2012
quotequote all
clarkmagpie said:
Well a slight update...

Thermostat has proved to be a bugger of a job to get too, they have checked the C Head and have recommended getting it skimmed while everything is accessible.
So that's been sent away and more gaskets ordered.

Cylinder 3 is showing signs of water ingress at some point, all the other cylinders are carboned up and 3 is pretty clean.
It did have a fault code for cylinder 3 misfire, fault cleared so, again...

Back in 2009 it had HG replaced with new sort and head skimmed.

We'll see what the outcome is, not feeling overly optimistic mind.
worth getting the head pressure tested for leaks while its of especially if there is no obvious blow by on the gasket for that cylinder.