K series head gasket
Discussion
Well you can replace the head gasket with a better one but that'll cost you as much as getting a broken one fixed...
The most important thing is to keep an eye on the coolant level (the K-series has a very low coolant capacity) and to avoid reving the engine before the oil is up to temperature. The head gasket only costs 800 quid to sort anyway so it's not worth spending silly money to avoid the problem. If it does go, just make sure it's sorted properly. Some people on here have bought third party warranties to cover themselves against HGF.
The most important thing is to keep an eye on the coolant level (the K-series has a very low coolant capacity) and to avoid reving the engine before the oil is up to temperature. The head gasket only costs 800 quid to sort anyway so it's not worth spending silly money to avoid the problem. If it does go, just make sure it's sorted properly. Some people on here have bought third party warranties to cover themselves against HGF.
kambites said:
Well you can replace the head gasket with a better one but that'll cost you as much as getting a broken one fixed...
The most important thing is to keep an eye on the coolant level (the K-series has a very low coolant capacity) and to avoid reving the engine before the oil is up to temperature. The head gasket only costs 800 quid to sort anyway so it's not worth spending silly money to avoid the problem. If it does go, just make sure it's sorted properly. Some people on here have bought third party warranties to cover themselves against HGF.
Seconded.The most important thing is to keep an eye on the coolant level (the K-series has a very low coolant capacity) and to avoid reving the engine before the oil is up to temperature. The head gasket only costs 800 quid to sort anyway so it's not worth spending silly money to avoid the problem. If it does go, just make sure it's sorted properly. Some people on here have bought third party warranties to cover themselves against HGF.
iainh said:
Thanks all. Doesnt sound too bad!
Has anyone fitted a PRRT, and had subsequent head gasket failure?
best regards, iain
This issue tends to be a monthly post on here, I can remember reading about someone having HGF, even with a PRRT. Has anyone fitted a PRRT, and had subsequent head gasket failure?
best regards, iain
Wouldn't let it put you off, they are cracking lightweight engines and if you follow the advice in the first post, HGF will be pretty unlikely!
Had a HGF on mine in the past and had a scare this weekend with the car running at high 90s even whilst driving at a moderate pace. Ended up getting the car towed home rather than continue driving at high temp. With this in mind...
kambites said:
The most important thing is to keep an eye on the coolant level (the K-series has a very low coolant capacity)
Funnily enough, on inspection noticed the coolant level was very low. When the HGF occured originally the car was drinking like marathon runner at the finish line, so was watching this like a hawk for months after the repair and it seemed very constant, admit I have lapsed a bit lately and hadn't looked at it for a week or so. Should the car use coolant in normal usage? If so, how often/much should I expect to top-up?kambites said:
avoid reving the engine before the oil is up to temperature.
What's a good guide for judging this, bearing in mind I don't have an oil temp guage on my Stack?tyronbarrett said:
Should the car use coolant in normal usage? If so, how often/much should I expect to top-up?
Mine sits dead in the middle, between max and min, and never uses any water. However, I have heard other people say that their car will immediately expel any water that's above the minimum mark and then sit happily on the minimum mark thereafter. Once the level has stabilised, the engine shouldn't use any water.tyronbarrett said:
What's a good guide for judging this, bearing in mind I don't have an oil temp guage on my Stack?
I think people on here usual recommend being careful for 10-15 minutes after the water hits a stable running temperature. Personally I only leave it about 5 minutes after the water is up to temperature but the careful people may well be right.This is well written;
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgoc...
Is it not worth a pre-emptive strike, fitting a LR gasket and maybe changing the belts at the same time, for peace of mind? Wouldn't want to not rev the engine or have the background stress shadow stalking me.
Changing the subject, how come the Toyota engine is so much heavier the the K?
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgoc...
Is it not worth a pre-emptive strike, fitting a LR gasket and maybe changing the belts at the same time, for peace of mind? Wouldn't want to not rev the engine or have the background stress shadow stalking me.
Changing the subject, how come the Toyota engine is so much heavier the the K?
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