Headgasket testing
Discussion
Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster (sorry for the long one).
Recently my Chimaera has been in for it's first service under my ownership, and a number of issues were spotted; one being a headgasket leak. Their recommendation was an engine out rebuild due to some other oil leaks which could be sorted at the same time. As the car needed other work, I didn't have the cash and opted to leave the engine as is.
However, my gut feeling was that the HG was actually fine, but I thought I'd check with the hive mind as well.
My reasoning:
I've never noticed any smoke or odd smells from the exhaust, and that includes a few convoys with friends driving behind, nor any milky oil.
Also, whilst the garage doing the service was a very reputable TVR specialist, there were a number of inconsistencies surrounding the work that put me off going back in general (things I was told needed doing, but actually didn't need).
I purchased one of those blue liquid test kits and tried it today, placed in the expansion tank at the front and it came back all good, staying blue. Is this the correct location to test?
Also, are there any other ways I can test for a HG failure as it does seem like a random issue to bring up unless the garage had a reason and not the sort of problem I want to leave to chance
Many thanks in advance
Recently my Chimaera has been in for it's first service under my ownership, and a number of issues were spotted; one being a headgasket leak. Their recommendation was an engine out rebuild due to some other oil leaks which could be sorted at the same time. As the car needed other work, I didn't have the cash and opted to leave the engine as is.
However, my gut feeling was that the HG was actually fine, but I thought I'd check with the hive mind as well.
My reasoning:
I've never noticed any smoke or odd smells from the exhaust, and that includes a few convoys with friends driving behind, nor any milky oil.
Also, whilst the garage doing the service was a very reputable TVR specialist, there were a number of inconsistencies surrounding the work that put me off going back in general (things I was told needed doing, but actually didn't need).
I purchased one of those blue liquid test kits and tried it today, placed in the expansion tank at the front and it came back all good, staying blue. Is this the correct location to test?
Also, are there any other ways I can test for a HG failure as it does seem like a random issue to bring up unless the garage had a reason and not the sort of problem I want to leave to chance
Many thanks in advance
Very strange, they must have had good reason to check for head gasket failure and I would want to know how they tested it.
Compression tests, cooling system pressure tests can help determine head gasket problems, as well as the gas test you performed.
Are they saying the oil leaks are the head gasket as there isn`t enough information?
Also stating a full engine rebuild is just plain odd, would love to know what specialist you took it to.
Compression tests, cooling system pressure tests can help determine head gasket problems, as well as the gas test you performed.
Are they saying the oil leaks are the head gasket as there isn`t enough information?
Also stating a full engine rebuild is just plain odd, would love to know what specialist you took it to.
So apparently this came about because the underside of the engine was very oily, so much so that it was dripping on their floor. I was sent a photo of this, and whilst I'm no mechanic, after 14 months without an oil change, the oil looked very pale and thin and any other photos were too close up to be able to get any real context of what I was being shown. My personal suspicion was that it was mixing with ATF from the power steering, which they advised had a split pipe (it was actually just a loose hose clip, but still leaking somewhat), and the leaky pressure switch causing it to build up over time.
When I asked about the headgasket, they seemed to shy away from how it was diagnosed, only suggesting that the oil system was pressurising and causing all of these leaks. They mentioned specifically the valley gasket and rear end seal, both of which I have invoices for being replaced around 2 years ago by RB Sportscars, and when I purchased the car, all seemed well to me.
I don't want to name the company just yet until I've definitively found the headgasket result, but all of my communications were done with the owner, which was sporadic at best, and I need to contact them every time to get any kind of answer. It was sat with them for a week before it was inspected, then a further month before the confirmed work was actioned, and another 3 weeks until completed. None of which had a timescale communicated, despite asking for it.
However, upon collecting it myself (it was transported to them), I spoke with the lead mechanic, who was far more transparent, and I could tell that the work he had done had been very thorough and good quality, as if it were his own car
When I asked about the headgasket, they seemed to shy away from how it was diagnosed, only suggesting that the oil system was pressurising and causing all of these leaks. They mentioned specifically the valley gasket and rear end seal, both of which I have invoices for being replaced around 2 years ago by RB Sportscars, and when I purchased the car, all seemed well to me.
I don't want to name the company just yet until I've definitively found the headgasket result, but all of my communications were done with the owner, which was sporadic at best, and I need to contact them every time to get any kind of answer. It was sat with them for a week before it was inspected, then a further month before the confirmed work was actioned, and another 3 weeks until completed. None of which had a timescale communicated, despite asking for it.
However, upon collecting it myself (it was transported to them), I spoke with the lead mechanic, who was far more transparent, and I could tell that the work he had done had been very thorough and good quality, as if it were his own car
How does the car drive?
I'd be getting it back home and get a second/third opinion.
ATF is Red so that should be easy enough to spot.
Valley gaskets can leak if not fitted correctly (namely the clamps at either end). Crankshaft seals can leak too, as can rocker covers.
Back to the head gasket, I too would like to know how it's been diagnosed. Mine failed last year and the symptoms were a tappety engine that started shunting a lot. Prior to a, lets say, overly enthusiastic drive, it was fine. In the end the heads came off and it had failed and also slipped a liner.
The good news is these engines are straightforward to work on, loads of info on here, and changing the head gaskets isn't as scary as it sounds.
I'd be getting it back home and get a second/third opinion.
ATF is Red so that should be easy enough to spot.
Valley gaskets can leak if not fitted correctly (namely the clamps at either end). Crankshaft seals can leak too, as can rocker covers.
Back to the head gasket, I too would like to know how it's been diagnosed. Mine failed last year and the symptoms were a tappety engine that started shunting a lot. Prior to a, lets say, overly enthusiastic drive, it was fine. In the end the heads came off and it had failed and also slipped a liner.
The good news is these engines are straightforward to work on, loads of info on here, and changing the head gaskets isn't as scary as it sounds.
I had old leaking power steering pipes on my Griff and had the lot replaced with an upgraded kit. Both it, and 2 of my previous Chimaera has oil leaks from the sump. It does collect around the bottom of the engine along with any leaking engine oil. The sump plug can leak if not tightened with the correct crush washer. I was a bit surprised to see on a youtube video that a TVR specialist was still use a cork gasket, which doesn't really stand up to the temperatures. The specialist near me uses only sealant, the proper RTV stuff. No oil leaks since.
The HG rarely go on these engines unless you have a severe overheat. The valley gasket and end seals I've actually replaced myself on a Chimaera in the past. It can be done fairly easily in situ although, obviously, a lot of stuff has to come off first.
The HG rarely go on these engines unless you have a severe overheat. The valley gasket and end seals I've actually replaced myself on a Chimaera in the past. It can be done fairly easily in situ although, obviously, a lot of stuff has to come off first.
I would take it elsewhere and get a second opinion, sump gaskets can leak which is very common and oil will spray everywhere as a result.
First place to start is to clean everything up thoroughly and then go about identifying the leak points.
I wonder did they mean valley gasket rather than heads?
First place to start is to clean everything up thoroughly and then go about identifying the leak points.
I wonder did they mean valley gasket rather than heads?
Car drives as well as it has during my 11 months of ownership. It's already back home, so I will take it to some local garages I have experience with and see if they can check it over as well. Interestingly, there are few signs of oil on the driveway, especially compared to the 'puddle' image I was shown in the garage.
On the drive home, my partner followed me, and there was no sign of smoke or issues on the way back, and it drove fairly well. There's some shunting, but only when going slower and low revs, and I understand this is somewhat an element of the 14cux ECU used. I haven't noticed any new or unwanted noises like tapping, but I'll keep an ear out on the next drive
On the drive home, my partner followed me, and there was no sign of smoke or issues on the way back, and it drove fairly well. There's some shunting, but only when going slower and low revs, and I understand this is somewhat an element of the 14cux ECU used. I haven't noticed any new or unwanted noises like tapping, but I'll keep an ear out on the next drive
Rinzler79 said:
Car drives as well as it has during my 11 months of ownership. It's already back home, so I will take it to some local garages I have experience with and see if they can check it over as well. Interestingly, there are few signs of oil on the driveway, especially compared to the 'puddle' image I was shown in the garage.
On the drive home, my partner followed me, and there was no sign of smoke or issues on the way back, and it drove fairly well. There's some shunting, but only when going slower and low revs, and I understand this is somewhat an element of the 14cux ECU used. I haven't noticed any new or unwanted noises like tapping, but I'll keep an ear out on the next drive
Yeah the 14cux can do that, mine certainly used to but I had it all swapped out for MBE, which ran like a dream, so when it started happening again I knew something was up, and it was doing it on 1st, 2nd & 3rd. On the drive home, my partner followed me, and there was no sign of smoke or issues on the way back, and it drove fairly well. There's some shunting, but only when going slower and low revs, and I understand this is somewhat an element of the 14cux ECU used. I haven't noticed any new or unwanted noises like tapping, but I'll keep an ear out on the next drive
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