We recently bought a FL1 1.8 GS - almost by accident as it happens - and have been really quite pleased with it. However on Saturday we got steam and loss of water and all the other symptoms. From reading this board, I'm not sure if I'm consoled that a head gasket failure is so common or disturbed at the stories of it being very common and occasionally indicating other problems.
My question are these: is a replacement of the HG possible DIY? I'm a reasonably competent mechanic and have done HGs at least twice (on MGBs) so am aware of the normal problems/gotchas.
If it's NOT possible (or recommended) for DIY, will an 'ordinary' mechanic be able to do the job or should it be someone with specific experience of FLs?
Finally, I'm terribly confused about the engines - it seems to me that there was a change in the 1.8 from the one that kept cracking the head to one that didn't. Is there a simple way to tell what type I've got?
Thanks!
Jon
My question are these: is a replacement of the HG possible DIY? I'm a reasonably competent mechanic and have done HGs at least twice (on MGBs) so am aware of the normal problems/gotchas.
If it's NOT possible (or recommended) for DIY, will an 'ordinary' mechanic be able to do the job or should it be someone with specific experience of FLs?
Finally, I'm terribly confused about the engines - it seems to me that there was a change in the 1.8 from the one that kept cracking the head to one that didn't. Is there a simple way to tell what type I've got?
Thanks!
Jon