Advice required really possible head gasket failure

[Pootz]

I'm hoping I'm wrong as only had the car 3 days but I suspect that the head gasket is going/ gone

I'm blowing white smoke from the exhaust and the coolant is disappearing.

Is there anything else that could cause this or am I looking at a gasket replacement?
Also what other damage could have been caused? The car hasn't overheated (temp got to about 95 / 100 degrees and stayed out of the red)

If it's the gasket what sort of price am I looking at?

I don't mind having it done as the car is good apart from this issue but I just don't want to be ripped off

Thanks

[Robsey]

It does indeed sound like a head gasket issue.

Telltale signs will be possible contamination between the coolant and oil passages.
Mucky water or lots of pressure in the coolant header tank or sludgey beige oil on the dipstick. (Mayonaise).

This may be why the car was for sale.
But it is a bit nasty to not declare it in the for sale ad.

The Cavalier engines are quite simple to replace the head gasket on, so a decent garage should manage this in a couple of hours.

However my cynical head would get the garage to check for cracks in the block whilst they are at it.
Worse case scenario, is a replacement engine.
There are plenty around for well under £200.

Just depends whether it is worth the expense or hassle in your opinion.

[Pootz]

It does indeed sound like a head gasket issue.

Telltale signs will be possible contamination between the coolant and oil passages.
Mucky water or lots of pressure in the coolant header tank or sludgey beige oil on the dipstick. (Mayonaise).

This may be why the car was for sale.
But it is a bit nasty to not declare it in the for sale ad.

The Cavalier engines are quite simple to replace the head gasket on, so a decent garage should manage this in a couple of hours.

However my cynical head would get the garage to check for cracks in the block whilst they are at it.
Worse case scenario, is a replacement engine.
There are plenty around for well under £200.

Just depends whether it is worth the expense or hassle in your opinion.

Cheers
I'm have a mobile mechanic popping over tomorrow morning as I have checked for mayo and oil in the header and nothing there.
He said it would cost 300 to replace the gasket if it is that. Does that sound right?
I've never had one done before so I have no idea on cost

[Robsey]

If he is supplying all parts including gasket kit and head bolts, then that sounds fair enough.

I have always done my own head gaskets as I am too tight normally to pay for labour.
Labour can be anywhere between £35 and £80 per hour. I won't even suggest main dealer prices - ouch!!

Hopefully it is two unrelated issues causing the steam and water loss.

Steam could simply be because it is cold outdoors.

Loss of water could be a split / loose hose, or leaky radiator, matrix or water pump or a knackered header tank cap.

Fingers crossed for you,
hopefully a quick and cheap fix.

[Pootz]

If he is supplying all parts including gasket kit and head bolts, then that sounds fair enough.

I have always done my own head gaskets as I am too tight normally to pay for labour.
Labour can be anywhere between £35 and £80 per hour. I won't even suggest main dealer prices - ouch!!

Hopefully it is two unrelated issues causing the steam and water loss.

Steam could simply be because it is cold outdoors.

Loss of water could be a split / loose hose, or leaky radiator, matrix or water pump or a knackered header tank cap.

Fingers crossed for you,
hopefully a quick and cheap fix.

Yes. That's the price for supply and fit gasket and new bolts.
Unfortunately I'm not in a position to do it myself due to disability but with what I paid for the car plus the gasket being sorted it will still only owe me 550 quid so it's worthwhile I reckon...plus it keeps another cav from being scrapped

[Robsey]

It would be a shame to scrap it for the sake of an engine.
Although I suspect there are plenty of Corsa / Nova owners out there who would soon whip your engine into shape and fit it to their pocket rocket cars.

Really rusty bodywork should be the only reason to let a Cav go.

[Pootz]

It would be a shame to scrap it for the sake of an engine.
Although I suspect there are plenty of Corsa / Nova owners out there who would soon whip your engine into shape and fit it to their pocket rocket cars.

Really rusty bodywork should be the only reason to let a Cav go.

I'm with you on that hence me wanting to get it sorted if possible but if I needed to replace the engine is couldn't afford the labour unfortunately so I'm keeping my fingers crossed

[Robsey]

I fully understand.

If you were in Manchester, I would have done it for the price of a few hot drinks and a bacon butty - ha ha.

[Pootz]

I fully understand.

If you were in Manchester, I would have done it for the price of a few hot drinks and a bacon butty - ha ha.

Bugger....I was only 15 miles (ish) away on Tuesday as I picked it up from Altrincham

[Robsey]

Always the way - *sigh*

[Pootz]

I'll keep you posted as to the diagnosis tomorrow morning

[Robsey]

That would be great -
Nothing worse than a thread discussing a problem, which then stops suddenly because it has been fixed and the rest of the forum is left guessing the outcome.

[ilovedmymantas]

If he is supplying all parts including gasket kit and head bolts, then that sounds fair enough.

I have always done my own head gaskets as I am too tight normally to pay for labour.
Labour can be anywhere between £35 and £80 per hour. I won't even suggest main dealer prices - ouch!!

Hopefully it is two unrelated issues causing the steam and water loss.

Steam could simply be because it is cold outdoors.

Loss of water could be a split / loose hose, or leaky radiator, matrix or water pump or a knackered header tank cap.

Fingers crossed for you,
hopefully a quick and cheap fix.

Yes. That's the price for supply and fit gasket and new bolts.
Unfortunately I'm not in a position to do it myself due to disability but with what I paid for the car plus the gasket being sorted it will still only owe me 550 quid so it's worthwhile I reckon...plus it keeps another cav from being scrapped

That sounds like a fair price to me, assuming there's some type of guarantee

[Pootz]

I'll find out in about an hour if he turns up.
We've had at least 2mm of snow so he may not be able to get here

[Pootz]

Well, as promised, the mechanic has been out and it is definitely the head gasket that has gone. BUT on a positive note it can be saved.
Mechanic is picking it up on Sunday and taking it to his unit where he will begin stripping it on Monday so hopefully I will have it back up and running by Thursday.

[Pootz]

Cav is now at the mechanics and he is going to start stripping the engine tomorrow (Monday).
Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping no other damage has been caused by the gasket going

[Cabletwitch]

Ahh, that should be a simple and quick job assuming there is nothing else wrong with it. The head may require skimming if it's too badly warped, mine needed some on it and came back a rather nicer colour than the rest of the block! Also, what engine is it you have, btw?

[Pootz]

Ahh, that should be a simple and quick job assuming there is nothing else wrong with it. The head may require skimming if it's too badly warped, mine needed some on it and came back a rather nicer colour than the rest of the block! Also, what engine is it you have, btw?

Hill
He is sending the head away to be skimmed as a matter of precaution but I'm just hoping there are no cracks or other damage anywhere.

It's a 2 litre petrol

[Robsey]

According to the boot badge in his other thread, it is a 2 litre 16 valve.

[Pootz]

According to the boot badge in his other thread, it is a 2 litre 16 valve.

Beatles you to it but thanks anyway...plus I forgot about the 16 valve bit

[Robsey]

The extra 8 valves makes a difference to repair costs and brake horse power.

They should be amongst the more fuel efficient units too.

[Pootz]

The extra 8 valves makes a difference to repair costs and brake horse power.

They should be amongst the more fuel efficient units too.

I'll had a 1700 zafira before this so haven't really noticed much difference in fuel economy...plus I haven't owned it long enough

[Pootz]

Phone call from mechanic confirms it's NOT bad news.
No cracks and head is only slightly warped so all is good
In a way it's done me a favour as the timing belt crumbled when he took it off so new timing belt kit is going on as well as a manifold gasket.

[Pootz]

IT'S ALIVE
Had it back at 10.30 this morning.
Woo hoo!

[Robsey]

Excellent news.
Now to see if it feels a bit perkier.