starturbo

I got an astra off my dad to use for commuting to and from work coz I was putting too many miles on the RS (500 miles a week).Any way I was booting along the M40 on monday morning in the fast lane doing about 80 ish when it lost power,not completely but about half.I got onto the hard shoulder and continued for about a mile before giving up and called the breakdown truck.(I should point out that its a 1.7 turbo diesel isuzu astra).The breakdown bloke said he was 99 per cent the head gasket had gone because the header tank was empty but I told him the radiator has had a slight leek and has done for years and as long as you top it up regularly its ok.On the down side when I filled the header tank it took 5 pints.I cracked a pipe off one of the injectors and turned it over and all I got was a drip from the pipe.Now I am confused.I dont have a lot of money and desperately need the car for work.Either route (fuel pump or head gasket is expensive).Vauxhall want 100 quid for a headgasket and the scrap yard want 75 quid for a pump.Any switched on mechanics out there who could help me in diagnosing the fault?Any help would be extremely appreciated.

gup

iTrader: (1)

it does sound like the headgasket fella is their any mayo type goo in the header tank or on the dipstick or where you put oil in i have done many headgaskets on these and they normally over heat but if you have lost compression (poor performance) then it could also be further done the engine how hot did it get also if you pour water in it and start it up does the water in the header tank bubble up (if it does start) also does it sound like it wants to start ie trying to kick over or does it sound like thiers nothing their if your stuck give us a bell on 07841700530 better off if i speak to you cheers

starturbo

Hi Gup.thanks for replying mate.I really appreciate it.It wont start but the water in the header tank isnt bubbling.But then the fuel in the injector pipe isnt too enthusiastic either.I got told that if i crack a feed pipe off the injector then i would get wet.All i see is a dripGod i wish i knew what it was.

starturbo

Oh and the oil looks good.no cream.But if the head gasket blows between 2 cylinders then it wont show will it?

James

When you crack off the injector get someone to crank it and see if it pisses out fuel then, it'll only piss out fuel whilst the pump is turning [cranking].

If not check for leaks, blocked fuel filter, fuel lines etc.

Easiest way to do this is to get a hand primer pump and a can of diesel and to connect to the in on the pump then pump on the fuel using the hand primer, if then when cranking you get a good amount of fuel out the injector you know theres a fault from the pump back, i.e. filter, fuel lines etc. Although remember it will take alot of cranking/hand pumping to get the fuel upto the injector, when your hand pumping the diesel up from your can to the pump remove the fuel return off the pump, when it pisses out diesel from there you know the pump is full of diesel.

HTH

starturbo

Thanks guys.I have to get back to oxford tomorrow and try all your suggestions.Shame I cant get it relayed home.I used my relay to get it to work.dont think they would allow me another journey?

starturbo

Oh Deep Joy.I just had a chat with a bloke who reckons that the cylinder heads never survive when the head gasket goes.Dont even wanna price one.I priced a fuel pump yesterday and the bloke coughed before telling me they are two grand.bet they get through loads of them then.

starturbo

Quick update.I compression tested it on wed and i got 30psi on 1,50psi on 2,240psi on 3 and 420 psi on 4.Took the head off and number 1 and 2 have seized.The pistons have melted their skirts down the side of the bores.Aint life great eh.Thanks for your help anyway fellas.