Bugger! ... Head gasket finally popped!

After changing the inlet manifold gasket and having fun with the inertia switch, and getting the Freeby back on the road the head gasket gave up!


Ho hum... took it apart, skimmed the head just annoyed.

Welcome to a not that exclusive club
MLS gasket, metal dowels, new head bolts and upgraded oil rail if you can be bothered!
Happy motoring

Unlucky mate, on the upside you can now fix it with the newer gasket and the skimmed head and know it is done right.

Well it was always gonna happen...when it was new I had thought! but 12 years in, was a shock!

Holy 'anna original paper thing pointless stupid daft head gasket! :doh: I thought it had had the uprated gasket fitted, clearly not!

So head skim, cam belt and new water pump should see it through a few more years!!

Surprised at finding the original head gasket installed, but annoyed none the less!



I'll fit some new exhaust studs as well, may as well its off and they are always a pain if you have to take the exhaust off for some reason!

In fact whilst I think about it any one suggest things to do whilst its apart, like I say may as well whilst I can (and preferably) before I have to!!

Oil light switch went on mine when i put it back together £6 well spent, replace sump gasket while it's dry.

Can't think of nowt else

Dunno about you guys but I saw my heas gasket popping as an opportunity. New gasket and other nice shiny oily bits in the post... a day in the garage away from nagging wife and a good little car that will see another couple of years... BONUS.

ggrrr!!

I'll add 'Hydraulic Lifters' to this list!!

So head gasket popped, what was done (...so far):

Head was skimmed.
Installed with new uprated HG.
New head bolts
Inlet manifold studs renewed.
Exhaust manifold studs renewed.
Water pump replaced.
Air Filter
Oil filter
Plugs

Engine bay Under tray repaired (Centre plastic tray was missing, previous owner I guess)
Under tray bots replaced with new ones, adding washers this time permit easier removal should it need to be taken off again!

CV checked all ok, but re-greased them anyway!
Engine bay washed.

Then put back together.

Now it fails to start.
(Checked inertia switch first this time...it was fine)

Checked compression...0 in all pots!

Take the top off again.
Checked the lifters, over half not popping!

Take them out 'squeeze' them again hmm over half don't move at all, 3 fell apart.

hmm add to list of things to replace if you have the time, desire and cash (new ones not expensive £50-60)

new lifters!

So far this repair including oils, anti-freeze, £190-210 & three weekends!

Freeby owners please search around for best prices, I'm no grease monkey so don't have trade discount, had I not searched around then the cost so far would be over £350.

I paid £60 for a Head Gasket set!
But was offered just the head gasket and head bolts for £140
Water pump was £20, but had been seen for sale @ £45-50.

Search search search !
save yourself a fortune!

Are you 100% sure you have set up the cam timing correctly?

0 psi on all 4 sounds odd .

A little odd that's for sure!

Take the cam carrier off to get at the lifters, and I have pressure in all pots!
(The valves now close)

Well the Freeby has been running for a while now, no probs at all!
So much quieter, smoother and the power (yes here is some in these) is back, very nice drive!

Oh and anothing thing to add to the fix list...
......hand brake froze, had to replace the shoes! and all just in time for the colds snap it would appear!!

Did yours need the thermostat mod? When my HG went I was recomended to "re-plumb" to a later design where the thermostat ends up in a new housing at the back of the radiator.

hmm.... no it wasn't changed, I'll look into it a little later.

It would be a shame to put all that into the car to then mess it up because of a dodgy thermostat!