C service, now the head gasket what next?????
Discussion
While sitting in traffic on the delightful M25 the coolant decided to leave the car through the pressure valve release valve on the header tank, rather impressive I thought at the time, while my other half freaked out because we were "on fire".
What was less amusing was by the time I managed to pull off to a garage the stack unit was regestering a mighty 130. I refilled and took it to Sinclair's for its C service (great!)over 800 quid later the lads there informed me that the overheating was due to the blue probe being faulty, thus no circuit, thus no cooling fans kicking in. However a week down the line, I'm finding an unexplained loss of coolant and an orangy scum in the header tank. A quick trip to Sportsmotive in Sailsbury confirmed the worst the head gasket had perished.
They say the head may need a skim but won't need pressure testing but the stretch bolts will, and the job according to the manual will take 5 hours.
While the boys at Sinclair are saying, it should be pressure tested, but the strech bolts are reusable up to 9 times, however it's going to take 8 hours, though there hourly rate is cheaper.
I'm in Wiltshire Mon-Fri & South london at weekends, any advice guys and girls or other people to try (not Bell & Colville who were just taking the piss with their quote)????
What was less amusing was by the time I managed to pull off to a garage the stack unit was regestering a mighty 130. I refilled and took it to Sinclair's for its C service (great!)over 800 quid later the lads there informed me that the overheating was due to the blue probe being faulty, thus no circuit, thus no cooling fans kicking in. However a week down the line, I'm finding an unexplained loss of coolant and an orangy scum in the header tank. A quick trip to Sportsmotive in Sailsbury confirmed the worst the head gasket had perished.
They say the head may need a skim but won't need pressure testing but the stretch bolts will, and the job according to the manual will take 5 hours.
While the boys at Sinclair are saying, it should be pressure tested, but the strech bolts are reusable up to 9 times, however it's going to take 8 hours, though there hourly rate is cheaper.
I'm in Wiltshire Mon-Fri & South london at weekends, any advice guys and girls or other people to try (not Bell & Colville who were just taking the piss with their quote)????
If the head is being skimmed then it is a false economy not to get it pressure tested at the same time. It's not much extra.
And IMHO you should replace the stretch bolts too.
If you economise on this job then you may well be having to do it again soon! So what's best? £100 extra now or *another* £5/600 in the next six months?
I had my head skimmed, pressure tested and new stretch bolts done when my HG went, and the car's done 15k miles since then with no problems.
And IMHO you should replace the stretch bolts too.
If you economise on this job then you may well be having to do it again soon! So what's best? £100 extra now or *another* £5/600 in the next six months?
I had my head skimmed, pressure tested and new stretch bolts done when my HG went, and the car's done 15k miles since then with no problems.
Definately better to cover all bases while the engine is in pieces. When I caught my HGF (very early) I had Dave Andrews of DVA power sort it. Might be worth a try as he is Mr K series. He's in Milton Keynes, my geographical knowledge isn't great so it might suit you or not? Had my bolts replaced when the work was done aswell.
exactly,
also, overheadin g (as in the fan not working) will not in itself cause HGF
For it to blow the coolant out, it probably had HGF to start with.
head skimming is NOT required in 99% of HGF's, only if the head has been well and truly cooked.
bolts should be replaced every time, they cost peanuts relative to the labour bill.
also, overheadin g (as in the fan not working) will not in itself cause HGF
For it to blow the coolant out, it probably had HGF to start with.
head skimming is NOT required in 99% of HGF's, only if the head has been well and truly cooked.
bolts should be replaced every time, they cost peanuts relative to the labour bill.
Steve Williams in Maidenhead may be worth a call.
www.swlotus.co.uk/
Top bloke who has worked on Lotus for over 20 years
Ben
www.swlotus.co.uk/
Top bloke who has worked on Lotus for over 20 years
Ben
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