SpaceDawg

SpaceDawg

Active Member
Hi,

I took the head off Jo this morning as I had a leak near the exhaust manifold.

I have never taken a car to part where every nut and bolt was either to loose or finger tightg, except the head, the bolts there were all over the shop some super tighth the one near the leak area quite loose.

Having done a visual inspection of the gasket there's nothing wrong with it; hoever the block looks like the new gasket had been put on the old one without cleanign it properly and also the head itself looks bad in some areas. I've posted the images here hoping someone like James can let me know if I should even bother getting the head tested or just try to get another one.

Thanks and enjor the pictures.

Water Leaks l00001.jpg
Water Leaks l00002.jpg
Water Leaks l00004.jpg
Water Leaks l00006.jpg
Water Leaks l00010.jpg
Water Leaks l00011.jpg
Water Leaks l00012.jpg
Water Leaks l00013.jpg
Water Leaks l00016.jpg
Water Leaks l00017.jpg
Water Leaks l00018.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: pjo
If it's been run incorrectly torqued then high chance it's warped - clean up and put a straight edge on it will give you a rough idea - machine shop could tell you for certain
 
looks ok including ports, just check its flat, new blades like theses are perfect for cleaning head and block
upload_2016-2-24_14-50-57.jpeg

is it running as standard or altered
 
Thanks chaps, James what about the rust going under where the gasket should seal the cylinder? Thought that was a big no no to put that back on?

I have a little gadget for scraping with blades i n it, worked a treat the other day.
 
People come in their pants to much with head skimming, Ive done a few tdi and never skimmed the head or replaced the head bolts.
Its dirty clean it up best as you can, perfection is not needed and stick it back together, job done, fcuk wife/drink beer sorted.
The one and only thing to look at with tdi head is cracking between the valve seats and even then minor cracks are fine to go again, I can say that with experience.
 
Last edited:
Okies all, you will mainly see me next week in the engine bay doing some additional wiring etc as well as cleaning the block.
 
lynall said:
People come in their pants to much with head skimming, Ive done a few tdi and never skimmed the head or replaced the head bolts.
Its dirty clean it up best as you can, perfection is not needed and stick it back together, job done, fcuk wife/drink beer sorted.
The one and only thing to look at with tdi head is cracking between the valve seats and even then minor cracks are fine to go again, I can say that with experience.
Click to expand...
At last some good old practical no nonsense advice. I've seen heads in loads worse condition and reused them with no issues. So long as the head is flat and the surfaces clean the head gasket will seal. JMHO
 
Dropped it off at the machine shop today for a pressure test, the chat was not worries about the dip as it was a couple of mm from the gasket so fingers crossed I might be ok to order the gasket set when I know if it passes and get it back onto the car.
 
Pressure testing and skim was £84. Skim alone you can get done around here for £35.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
300 tdi overheating...help!
2 3
Replies
56
Views
9K
jimleshed
J
Blizzard44
300tdi Two Different Head Gasket Designs?
Replies
11
Views
2K
Wagon Loon
Wagon Loon
Intestinalworm
Disco 2 Head Gasket Replacement Parts/Tools/Consumables/Tips
2
Replies
23
Views
4K
tilly2
T
Intestinalworm
Disco 2 Head Gasket and Heater Core
Replies
11
Views
2K
Intestinalworm
Intestinalworm
T
Other jobs to do while changing cylinder head
Replies
0
Views
344
Twinnie
T