Poss head gasket leak. Any info?

[R TOY]

Hi folks. Car is losing coolant and antifreeze staining on the block points to headgasket as the cause. Cant find any other leaks. Engine is still running perfectly. A friend/mechanic suggested retorquing the head bolts as it may cure the problem. This is apparently common procedure on Saab and other makes. Can anyone say wether the head bolts are accessable without removing cams or other 'bits'. If not then not an option. Also would need torque settings etc. Any ideas info welcome. Thanks dave. (3.6 03 tuscan)

[YI8TVR]

R TOY said:

Hi folks. Car is losing coolant and antifreeze staining on the block points to headgasket as the cause. Cant find any other leaks. Engine is still running perfectly. A friend/mechanic suggested retorquing the head bolts as it may cure the problem. This is apparently common procedure on Saab and other makes. Can anyone say wether the head bolts are accessable without removing cams or other 'bits'. If not then not an option. Also would need torque settings etc. Any ideas info welcome. Thanks dave. (3.6 03 tuscan)

Yes you can remove the head without taking the cams off.. Why dont you get a pressure test done?

[R TOY]

We're going to pressure test and hope something shows up, Mechanic had a look and not convinced that headgasket is the cause. 2k + vat for new gasket so keeping fingers crossed.

[dvs_dave]

Hey RTOY,

Sorry to hear about your engine troubles. Can I ask where the Tuscan friendly garage/mechanic you take your car to is? I'm presuming it's in the Lincoln area?

Cheers,
Dave

[R TOY]

He looks after our Elise track car, not really a tvr specialist but does understand the problems and has practical (possible) solutions.. I hope. If it does need a head gasket then i'm afraid it will be specialist job.
Dave.

[YI8TVR]

R TOY said:

If it does need a head gasket then i'm afraid it will be specialist job.

Why..

[macdeb]

R TOY said:

We're going to pressure test and hope something shows up, Mechanic had a look and not convinced that headgasket is the cause. 2k + vat for new gasket so keeping fingers crossed.

Bloke, have I missread, please tell me I have, did you say 2k plus for gasket?

[R TOY]

No, i'm afraid its true. Does seem a little steep (hell its fekin extortionate) but that was quote from HHH who have done work on the car before and been competetive. I havn't asked around ,apart from PPC at Melton who service it now but they said that they couldnt do it. The problem seems to be that the engine needs removing tho not sure why, but i assume that the headbolts cant be pulled out from back of engine. We're going to investigate this week, will keep you posted. Dave.