gazrsturbo

Hi everyone, i recently bought a 1989 escort rs turbo. When i bought it it had just had the head gasket replaced with a group A head gasket and bolts. The head was skimmed. That was just before i bought it, the previous owner didnt even drive it once the work was completed but i did and it drove fine. I have just taken it out today for the first time since i bought it and after 20 minites of leaving home water started spraying through the drivers side bonnet vent, a large cloud of white smoke came out the back and the engine stopped. I havent tried starting it as im new to all this and wanted advice before i did any further damage. Please help!! Kind regards, gaz

project rs

i'd get the bonnet up and see what you can see in the bay and see what the oil on dipstick looks like and in the rocker cover but sounds like the gasket might have gone again and the group a gasket and bolts are not as good as the standard ford stuff. don't try starting it just incase the bore is full of water which will blow a hole in your block as crazycage will vouch for

sm

well the first problem is its fitted with a group a headgasket, the best gasket for a erst is a std ford/payne one which have been used on 350bhp ersts with no probs

first thing to check to see if it is the head gasket is to see if the water has mixed with the oil, check the dip stick and oil filler cap and see if the oil has gone white, mayonise like

Karlos G

iTrader: (4)

The water that came out the vent is from your header tank being overpressurised, i had this happen when my headgasket went!
Sounds to me like the last owner blew his gasket by doing something silly (like turning up his boost), got it fixed and then sold it on straight away!

Not the end of the world, just needs a gasket set,head bolts, oil, filter, some spanner time and a setup! .........Hopefully!

B16CVH

Hmm...sounds like the toolbox will have to come out

gazrsturbo

Thanks for your replies. I have just been told that the mechanic who did the work reckoned when the head was off the bottom end or block i cant remember which exactly had been welded?. There is 'mayonnaise' on the dipstick and on the inside of the oil cap but the previous owner reckons that was from the last time it went? The car is running 160 bhp according to the printouts from tourqe of the devil it has a full stainless scorpian exhaust, a baily dumpvalve an escort cosworth turbo and a pace intercooler. There may be more done to it but im too pissed of to remember! Hope this helps and thanks again for the quick replies, kind regards gaz

Chris69

sounds like the gasket has gone again mate- it does take time to clear the system of the sludge but you shouldn't be getting white smoke
head needs to come off and the head/block inspected mate- all being well you will be able to re-asemble with proper ford stuff but you'll need to have a look first and see if the gasket has failed or if the head/block looks ok.

adam.d

Exactly the same as what happened to me mate! + my engine had just been freshly built
I've now had the head on and off 3 times for various reasons and can do a head gasket in around 2 hrs!!!, not the end of the world for you mate, just a kick in the stones!

gazrsturbo

I drained the oil yesterday and there was water mixed with the oil that formed a grey mixture? i managed to speak to the mechanic who did the work on the head gasket and he reckons that the bottem end was pretty knackered but then leaves me wondering why would he carry on after that? if this is true can someone please tell me the easiest way to get her going again! new engine maybe? thanks, gaz

B16CVH

Go for a full rebuild matey, you always know where you are when its all brand new stuff you are working with. Go for reliability rather than just taking the easy option of buying a so called "minter" off ebay etc.

Turbocabbie

where do you live fella, im sure someone from the forum can have a look at her

Karlos G

iTrader: (4)

Yeah grey oil means something metal has ground down in it.... big end shells maybe.
I'd get a full bearing set, gasket set, cam & lifters, water & oil pump, and do a full rebuild.
Should cost around Ł350-Ł400
Do a compression test, and then physicaly check for bore wear when you have it apart to see if you need new rings and a hone. If you do then add another Ł400 to the total, it's about Ł90 for a set of new rings per piston! If you have to do that you may aswell by a set of forged pistons with rings for almost the same money!

gazrsturbo

Thanks a lot for all your help. I am based 10 mintes from enfield north london. I think the cheapest and most sensible option is to buy a new engine everything else seemed ok when i drove it even though it was only for 20 minites!! i had better start writing my christmas list!

Turbocabbie

if you rebuild it make sure its done properly and done once

B16CVH

Like i tell my friends and customers, if you are going to keep the car for a while and you want a good solid reliable base for further tuning then do it right and do it once, dont fuck about, get it right first time, you will appreciate it if you do!

tonyrally

zvh???????????

gazrsturbo

I would love to how hard is it to do? what parts do i need etc? what kind of power can i expect?

Nobby_Turbocabby

mines done the same matey! mine spun a big end shell. im now in the process of new rings, mains, big ends, water and oil pumpm cam belt tensioner etc etc, cant wait for it to all get done but like said im going to do it right so i wont have to again