Should i do the head gaskets while doing the valley gasket?

rich201283 · Aug 11, 2010

P38 4.6
I am doing the valley gasket due to an oil leak, the inlet gear is off, should i do the head gaskets while its off as it is on 135000 miles and i dont believe they have ever been done.

nathan5346 · Aug 11, 2010

If it aint broke dont fix it :doh:

Irishrover · Aug 11, 2010

nathan5346 said:
If it aint broke dont fix it :doh:

Well said Nathan !!:clap2:

Enough unexpected problems with them without creating more potential ones.

:hysterically_laughi

rich201283 · Aug 11, 2010

just noticed in the exspansion bottle, there is a littlebit of white gunge which might suggest its due to go. does anyone else have a thin layer of this in theres?

nathan5346 · Aug 11, 2010

rich201283 said:
just noticed in the exspansion bottle, there is a littlebit of white gunge which might suggest its due to go. does anyone else have a thin layer of this in theres?

Due to go? its either gone or aint gone whats the dipstick like? You dunt wanna go finding problems that aint there

rich201283 · Aug 11, 2010

The oil looks ok on the dipstick, i was just concerned that there was a tiny bit of sludge on the wall of the water bottle and the car is on 135000miles so not sure how many more miles it will do on its current gaskets, apart from that it seems ok. just dont want to put it back togeather and have it go over the winter

j the range · Aug 11, 2010

take your oil filler cap off, have a look at that. if no crap in that leave it..

nathan5346 · Aug 11, 2010

Irishrover said:
Well said Nathan !!:clap2:

Enough unexpected problems with them without creating more potential ones.

:hysterically_laughi

Ello m8 hows u bin?

Irishrover · Aug 11, 2010

nathan5346 said:
Ello m8 hows u bin?

:welcome2:...Fine Nathan, and yourself ??? Looking forward to my few weeks over in Walsall early September and couple of weeks in Crete during that time. :5bparty::beer2::beer2::beer2::beer2::smokin::smokin:

:focus:
If you have stripped the top end down, no doubt you have removed the rocker covers ? Is there any signs of milky sludge in those? What is the coolant consumption like ?

rich201283 · Aug 11, 2010

There is no sludge under the rockers, It users a little coolent, if i top it up i can go around a week before its down nearly to the min level. no overheating, I also need to do the manifold gaskets as they are blowing.

nathan5346 · Aug 11, 2010

Irishrover said:
:welcome2:...Fine Nathan, and yourself ??? Looking forward to my few weeks over in Walsall early September and couple of weeks in Crete during that time. :5bparty::beer2::beer2::beer2::beer2::smokin::smokin:

:focus:
If you have stripped the top end down, no doubt you have removed the rocker covers ? Is there any signs of milky sludge in those? What is the coolant consumption like ?

Im gd, let us know when ur over maybe have a beeer?

rich201283 · Aug 12, 2010

I took a pic of the gunge on the expansion tank wall

Does this look normal?

nathan5346 · Aug 12, 2010

looks ok to me

pandy7203 · Aug 12, 2010

rich201283 said:
I took a pic of the gunge on the expansion tank wall

Does this look normal?

looks ok to me too just give it a flush through and see how u get on first

Irishrover · Aug 12, 2010

nathan5346 said:
Im gd, let us know when ur over maybe have a beeer?

Hi Nathan...That would be great. Hoping to meet up with SAMATT from Halesowen, maybe we can make a threesome !!!:beer2::beer2::beer2:
We arrive at my Sisters in Walsall, Thurday night 2nd September and head off to Crete the following Thursday for 2 weeks, then back to Walsall until 7th October when we get the ferry back home. There should be plenty of time to fit a slot in. :clap2:

:focus:

Doesn't look at all bad. If the Rocker Covers are not sludgy inside and the oil is not milky then I wouldn't worry too much.

However, if you feel that you really want to do them, go ahead but make sure you have all of the gaskets and a set of new head bolts. You should also do an oil change at the same time and give all the rocker shaft assemblies a good check over and thoroughly clean the rocker covers out.

Willos · Aug 12, 2010

Now not everyone would agree with me but looks like some sealer has been in the tank.
As youve gone to the trouble of stripping it so far I would check out the heads and gaskets.
The exhaust heat shields are a barstool to get off. Be patient and dont stuff up any bolts as one bolt can take most of the day to get off. Get a 500mm arm for the stretch bolts you'll need it

nathan5346 · Aug 12, 2010

Think i mite put a new engine and box and axles and diffs on me 200tdi... well it has done 200k and they will all need doing eventually :doh:

Irishrover · Aug 12, 2010

nathan5346 said:
Think i mite put a new engine and box and axles and diffs on me 200tdi... well it has done 200k and they will all need doing eventually :doh:

Why stop there ??? Bet the seats are sagging a bit and the ashtrays are dirty !!!
:hysterically_laughi

nathan5346 · Aug 12, 2010

Irishrover said:
Why stop there ??? Bet the seats are sagging a bit and the ashtrays are dirty !!!
:hysterically_laughi

Cud even av a go at turning it into a d2 while im at it with facelift h/lights

oil dripper · Aug 12, 2010

nathan5346 said:
Think i mite put a new engine and box and axles and diffs on me 200tdi... well it has done 200k and they will all need doing eventually :doh:

fust dibs on the enjun an back axle

Should i do the head gaskets while doing the valley gasket?

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