Are you rebuilding it yourself or having it done? I was toying with buying another 12j from eBay but you just don't know what you're buying and I've never pulled an engine and refitted before. Also, without a garage, I'm weather dependent and the fettling has to fit around an unfriendly work...

They're just 14 miles up the road from me. I'll give them a call in the morning although the website said that an exchange head with the usual bits & bobs installed (which is very convenient) is £395 + VAT! Really like to know what destroyed mine in the first place though.

Is there any wisdom available on the codes for the cylinder heads? A couple of places I've called are offering different codes and I'd like to know that what I'm buying will fit.

What might have caused it? I'd like to put that right before plonking on a replacement head. It was running like a sack of spanners before it overheated.

So, this is what the head looked like. Note the crack from hot point to valve (I think inlet) and severe pitting of the head over that cylinder. Could this have caused rough running? The overheating itself could be due to a failed thermostat. The head gasket itself was metal and seemed to be in...

I'm halfway through the job myself - having bought my 1985 90 2.5n/a diesel on eBay a couple of weeks ago and then overheated it on the way home. Should have the head off today. What's the word with the hotspots? I'm hoping mine will stay in place and not show any sign of cracking but, if...

I'd rather pay for honest, experienced greasy fingers than a comfy chair and a cappuccino.

With smoke coming out of the expansion bottle and steam coming out of the exhaust, looks like it's the head gasket! Anyone have experience of this that could tell me how long it might take me to do or, alternatively, any recommendations for a reliable, honest mechanic near Haywards Heath...

Never done a compression/combustion gas check before. This is a learning exercise. Looking out of the window, I wish I had a garage.

Had a poke around and tried to start it but battery had gone flat. Possibly due to running the lights and hazard flashers at the side of the road. Filled up the cooling system to see a stream of water coming out from the front of the engine behind the pulleys. I think this is the water pump but...

Afternoon to you all. Just bought a 1985 2.5N/A diesel 90 from a population auction site. Intended for dirty work such as dog walking, log collecting etc. and as a first car for 18 yo son to drive. Broke down with overheating on the way home. First I new was when the heater blew cold...