head gaskets gone.

[droofer]

its a 2.0i injection, and it was using a lot of water, so when it ran up to temp,the expansion tank was bubbling,i thought that this could be due to the cap letting air in, so i went and bought a new cap to try,topped water up,ran it up to temp, and then the white smoke appeared,and,you can actually smell the coolant at the exhaust!, think is, ive got no water in the oil, no oil in the water, the car was left idling for an hour today and it moved only slightly past 90 degrees, and the fans cutting in as it should, m thinking, the gasket has gone between the water jacket and the actual cylinder.
opinions anyone?

[Gaz]

sounds a reasonable conclusion, done a compression test?

[droofer]

not as yet gaz,think i will do as its got a slight misfire now.

[Gaz]

you might find the fluid in the head plays hell with the tester but it will show up as umeven

[droofer]

cheers mate!

[cav4x4]

Check the plugs, usually fails on number 4 and can be seen by the plug condition. If it is really clean there's your prob.

[planetc]

They also usually miss from a cold start for a few seconds too. A chemical block test is a more reliable method than compression test, but I agree with what has been said already

[Robsey]

They also usually miss from a cold start for a few seconds too. A chemical block test is a more reliable method than compression test, but I agree with what has been said already

Definately have experience of this.
Just as Paul describes...

wife blew the head-gasket racing a Rover 220 Turbo Coupe. (A few years ago now)
Our 1.8 CFi didn't stand a chance, and so rather than waving a whte flag, it did it's Red Arrows impression with a nice white vapour trail in it's wake.

I was able to do a full gasket change in approx 1 1/2 hours (complete with all the stem seals, and grinding in the valves etc) - really easy to do.
As long as you don't cook the engine, you shouldn't necessarily need to have the head skimmed.

[planetc]

I was able to do a full gasket change in approx 1 1/2 hours

pmsl, at my peak I could turn them around in about 15 minutes, admit though this wasn't lapping valves

[droofer]

i agree their easy to do, its just with cleaning the head and block up that pisses me off, i get all ocd over it and have to have it spot on, thats the time consuming bit, then ill be like, "well may as well do a belt on it now, i cant help myself, and its an extra cost i can do without at the mo.

[planetc]

A soft bristled (brass for example) wire brush in a drill cleans 'em up pretty quick, failing that keep flooding it with plenty of wd40 on it as you hit it with the emery as it stops it clogging and speeds up the process. I would always change a belt that was off for another reason, unless it was only a few weeks old.

[Robsey]

I would always change a belt that was off for another reason, unless it was only a few weeks old.

Agreed, why do the job twice. ?

Okay a little more expense, but if you're keeping the car, then it is more peace of mind.

And if in doubt of the history, I would do the lot.
that is
a) Head-gasket and new head bolts
b) New complete cam-belt and rollers / tensioner kit
c) Water-pump
d) and multi-vee alternator / power steering drive belt.

I change my cam-belt regarless every 32,000 miles, and the tensioner / roller every 64,000 miles.

Now that might be OCD.

[droofer]

HEY GUYS! great news.i also have a vw type 25 van with a 2.0 ford pinto efi engine in it,got a running problem with it and ive just done a compression test on it aaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnndddddddddddddddd..........................head gasket gone between 2 & 3.
oh joy.

[Robsey]

Think we ought to change your name Ed,

Instead of droofer, we should call you....

That poor bugger with all those knackered head gaskets !!!

Then we'll soon call you ...

The head gasket expert.

Sorry, but you seem to be having a bit of a run on those..

Could be worse, could have been a VW 2.8TDi engine... they have timing chains made of silly putty.
Avoid them unless you like total engine rebuilds.

[droofer]

Got a plan!!!i did one on an 1.8 cavalier not long ago,and one of the blokes i work with(who doesnt any more),said had did one a while back cos it went just as he was selling the car, took him 10 minutes.
so, he has set up on his own now, if i ask him what his hourly rate is,and get the parts and drop them off, the labour should be minimal!.

if only it worked like that!