Losing about a pint a week, and i've got a misfire on start up. Also got a plug stuck in pot 2 thats been there for 8k
Also, got some white poo stains on the exhaust manifold where the turbo bolts onto the swan neck.
Should I bite the bullet and do the HG when I do the tappets on Monday? Or might it be summat else??

 

have the system pressure tested IF there are no leaks from water pipes,rad etc then it will be head off for examination? why wont the spark plug come out?

 

water loss + misfire on start-up = head gasket

 

I would say head gasket gone.
Have a very good look around number four, exhaust side just above rear core plug this is usually where they go, as they cook on this pot being the hottest AND the weakest.
This is due to crap design of the cooling system, and not enough water circulation.
When you get the head off if it has any more than bout 50,000 you will most likely find the guides and exhaust valves are shot as well, seats will defo be buggered.
Use YBO611 new h/gasket, ARP stud & NUT kit just for a bit of security, I always do a final torque to 120 lb ft, regardless when doing these.
White marks on the turbo is nothing at all to worry about, it is merely water that has boiled on there, could be from washing the engine bay etc when hot.
It is a little bit of a ledge there so water collects there when engine cools overnight, then boils when you start that nasty hot turbo up!!
tabetha

 

Head gasket, identical to what mine was doing a few weeks ago. Take it to an MOT station and get them to check the Hydrocarbons in your expansion bottle, that way you will tell for sure. Do it now before it becomes more serious and costs you more.

 

This will work if it is blown into the engine, most of the ones I have seen are blown outwards from the water jacket.
tabetha

 

That feckin things just stuck in, turned it half a turn and i was knackered!! I'm presuming there's carbon build up on the end of the plug and thats stopping it coming out, i dont want to force it though, in case i fook the head.

tabetha
The head had a full rebuild 8k ago by PJ motorsport, so the guides and seals should be ok. I'm gonna have to get the head off and have a look.

 

Couldn't see anything out of the ordinary aroung pot 4, just the usual build up of grime and shite!
I think i'm gonna have to bite the bullet and do it anyway, I know its done then.

 

I had a spark plug stuck in cylinder number 4, this was the only reason i took it 2 graham goodes, turned ot that it was stuck from over heatin from a head gasket

Turned out 2 b 1 hell of an expensive plug change by the time i had finished i spent Ł1500

 

Dont say that!! I'm skint

 

Yer but i did have the work done at a garge that charges over Ł50 an hour, its a minimum of 8 hours work, then i went 4 a grp a gasket and had all of the tappets done, with a couple of other bits n bobs, From what i know now i wouldnt have a garage do it again, im sure u could do the work 4 a fractio n of the price

 

I've already got the tappets, so I reckon i'll be able to get a gasket and new bolts for under a ton.
Will the head need skimming?

 

Yer the head will most likely need a skim, its best 2 get it checked, n done 2 b on the safe side, no point spendin time n money replacin the head gasket only 2 have 2 do it again in a couple of week, as 4 head bolt, i ive heard mixed reports bout ARP stud & NUT kits best 2 ask some of the tuners on here what they use, apparently they dont stretch which aint good 4 the head

 

I'm gonna use std bolts, i'm not running mega power and I dont drive particularly hard, Think i'm gonna go for a T25 escos gasket, same thickness as a GrpA but with re-inforcing around the water jackets.

 

Sweet looks like u have it all sorted now only problem is actually gettin round 2 doing it lol