Cylinder Head..........

Quackers · Post by **Quackers** » 09 Sep 2006, 01:27

I've got a 3.0 V6 Xantia as a second car, its "slowly" losing water, just have to keep topping it up. It seems to be coming out of the exhaust, the headertank is under presure if you unscrew the water filler cap when engine is warm. It only uses loads of water if you really floor the car all the time.

Any advise? Dump it? Is there some magic bottle i can buy? or would it be a bill of huge numbers to get fixed? I'm just guessing cyinder head as i cannot see it leaking apart from down the exhaust, drips of water.

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 09 Sep 2006, 06:30

First check that the header tank isn't split around the seam and that the radiator matrix isn't leaking (about half way down on the right as you stand looking at the engine) both are 'common' problems. If all is well in those two areas... suggest you have the system pressure tested and then perhaps a proper head gasket failure analysis!!!

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 09 Sep 2006, 06:33

From your description it sounds as if the heaadgasket has gone, which will be expensive to repair.

Unfortunately there isn't a cheap/quick/magic solution, so don't waste money on supposed 'magic bottles'!

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 09 Sep 2006, 08:51

If its pressurising and the exhaust is steaming its difficult to imagine it being anything other than a head gasket.

Quackers · Post by **Quackers** » 09 Sep 2006, 12:29

You just see driplets of water coming of the end of the exhaust. Plus it did have major cooling problems when i got it, had to have a new header tank and the pipes upto the matrix fitted. Plus the fans do not come on at 90c unless u prod them with a stick

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 09 Sep 2006, 12:47

As f00lzz says, get it properly diagnosed before you make any assumptions.
The emmissions tester for the water system as discussed recently here would
be worth paying a garage to diagnose for you, although the real sod will be
determining which of the two heads is supect if in fact a HG has gone.
Certainly cooling issues are guaranteed where the fans don't cut in mind!!

The V6 motor may be mechanically dense for the space given, but IF you're
not adverse to a bit of spannering it'd be worth putting right - the car after all
is quite a rare sight - I'd imagine the heads may not even require skimming
as they're under far less stress than diesel ones. Personally, I'd lift the whole
lot out and work out of the car on the engine and use it as an excuse to
check out the engine mountings and clutch etc if it's a manual (they're all
autos aren't they?).

Andrew