220TC

Hi,

I'm still not sure I have been monitering the oil and water recently and can report the following, the car uses a bit of oil, not a lot but I keep having to top it up, I would have thought all rs turbos burn a bit of oil dont they ? I am pretty sure I'm not losing any water but there is blacky brown stuff around the water edges in the header tank, I'm not sure whether its oil or just crap from the cooling system Theres no gunk around the oil filler cap either.

It smokes very occasionally on start up, only a tiny bit though ! and also at very high revs when pushing it really hard (only a little bit as well), the smoke I think is a grey / white colour.

* Is there ANY way of finding out or testing to see if the head gasket is DEFINATELY gone without actually taking the head off ???

.........also if it has gone, how much am I looking at for a head gasket change at a garage, including all labour and parts etc ?

what other damage could there be if the head gasket has gone , not being very techy etc should all the pistons etc be ok ?

any help greatly appreciated

Duncan

goldS2

hi mate if you get a compression test done on your car that should show if the gasket has gone across one of the combustion bores (causing smoking). if this proves ok then the smoking would be due to something else but the head gasket could still have gone through a water or oil gallerie causing oil to mix with coolant which is shown by a mayonaise looking substance either in expansion tank or oil filler cap. as for any additional damage i've never known a blown head gasket to damage the bottom end in any way but it can cause the head to warp slightly which if not to severe can be skimmed down for not to much money but this will slightly increase compression which is never good on a turbo'd car especially if your running more than standard boost. as for cost it varies massivly from garage to garage depending on quality of parts used. If i were you i'd buy my own bits from a reputable supplier that stocks quality parts then get some quotes just for the labour and supply your own parts. hope this helps

bassboy

hi m8 im doing the head gasket on my car...ill get some pics up if u wanna try giving it a go urself

bassboy

220TC

I'd rather not attempt it myself, I'd probably fuck it up I'll probably get the local garage to test it and then go from there cheers for the replies anyone know what sort of cost I'm looking at ?

cheers, Duncan

bassboy

cost wise u are looking at a fair bit...but it all depends on the extent of the damage - i.e is the head scrap now or can it be reused and just skimmed etc

it doesnt take long to get the head off...i done it in about an hour - hour and a half by myself...not bad considering it was the first time ever i attempted it by myself...just gotta put the thing back on

if i was do to the job personally for a customer, i would charge over Ł100 for a job like that...

bassboy

escort1989uk

get your motor block tested they add a agent in your header tank and it changes two either green/or yellow dependent on if it detects fuel fumes or oil

m_nettleship

using the oil mate will probably a little worn turbo seals, and when u startit up. most turbos use oil. and need topping up from time to time. when the car ius ticking over have a look in the excaust and check for a little water, do this when the cars at running temp.