It was the how to check bit that I wasn’t sure about. I’ll give Steve Parker a ring. Thanks

I’m fed up with guessing what the temperature is and after the HG change I want to be sure all the time! The current gauge has always read hot as it and the Disco sender are mis-matched. If I bought a Durite (or VDO) gauge, how do I know if I’d need an adapter? Just buy it and try I guess? I was...

Oh yeah,I even liked that. What would you say the simplest way of expelling air is without draining down the system again?

None of the above! Is there actually a proper, written-down filling method? There seems to be all sorts of advice and methods out there, but is there one that can be followed step-by-step to achieve no air locks?

Yep, it’s where I filled it to. I’ve never had it get so hot so quickly before.

No, bunged it all in in one hit. I did it slowly through the rad filler with a heater box hose removed at one end to expel air. I think I’ve done something wrong filling it up!

I didn’t measure exactly, would have been about 12 litres though.

Yes, that’s where they are now. It was definitely the right way up. It must be airlock,pump or thermostat, but I don’t know what leads to my symptoms.

I’ve heard the bolts on those are often stuck fast and can snap. Great, more fun and games!

Don’t tell me that! I’m sure it’s the right way up, everything lined up and the thickness holes (3) are poking out in the right place.

I think so, but maybe it was on its way out and caused the gasket failure? I don’t know how to check a water pump for effectiveness.

Cheers. I left the injector in. Job done, started first time and runs really well. However, it now overheats after only 5 mins/2miles of driving! Top hose and rad are boiling, bottom hose is cool. Any ideas? Does this sound like a duff water pump?

Now you tell me :oops:. I did wonder if they could be left in, but I’m no mechanic! I took the rocker assembly out which gained me access to the other side, it moves with a bar on it, but I don’t want to do more harm than good! I’m going to leave number 4 in then. Thanks Flossie.

I’m just about losing the will to go on with this bloody thing! Stuck on 1 injector, well, the injector’s stuck on me. 1-3 came out fine, wiggling with a spanner and they’d pull out. Number 4 is being an absolute git, I can just about turn it, but there’s no hope of wiggling it out. Being the...

I was talking about the impending task to a customer, he fondly remembers cutting a head gasket out from a Sunday Times magazine for his Mini, back in the 70’s. The local part shop was closed for the weekend. He sold it 50,000 miles later, with no issues.

Cheers Lynall. I could only get hold of a Victor Reinz gasket in the time I had, supposed to be ok too.

Well she made it through the day. Out of interest, did you need to skim your head?

Cheers Flossie. I don’t have much time, so I’ll do the bare necessities!

Cheers for the tips. Hopefully the exhaust manifold and turbo will come off easy enough as they were off just over a year ago. Is there anything else I should be replacing whilst I’m doing the gasket? I’ve got gasket, exhaust gasket, head bolts, injector washers.

Thanks. I’ve got 50 vaguely useful posts, so if it all goes Pete Tong it’ll be in the classifieds on Wednesday morning.