Xantia 1.9TD head gasket blown!!!!

ex-vaux · Post by **ex-vaux** » 27 Sep 2011, 21:02

My old 95 xant has finally decided its time to mark its territory and blown its head gasket! Oil is bubbling out of the gasket joint at the cambelt end and forming a large puddle underneath.
Curiously, it still starts and runs fine, although it won't be long before the oil is joined by a cloud of steam I'm sure!!

My question is, what thickness gasket should I be replacing the old one with?

The old girl was running sweet before this, pulled like a train including towing, so I think despite her age she is worth spending a few quid on.

Thanks in anticipation

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 27 Sep 2011, 21:51

Gasket Thickness is related to head skim work and how much the pistons protrude out the top of the bores... once the head is off.

If you are certain the head is NOT warped and its really just a case of the side of the gasket blown out you may get away without a skim AS LONG as you are certain the head is not warped... (Useually bubbling water in the header tank)

The exsisting gasket will have notches, hidden under the waterpipe that runs round the side of the head at the gearbox side.. The water pipe that exsists out the thermostat house..

I have sucessfully swapped gaskets knowing a head has NOT boiled without a skim.

While you are here. PAY Extra for the Laminated Repair Gasket! These last much longer then the original soft type!

Paul

ex-vaux · Post by **ex-vaux** » 27 Sep 2011, 22:17

Thanks for the quick reply.

Am I right in thinking then that if she has'nt boiled the head may still be flat enough to simply fit another gasket, particularly as she starts on the button and has plenty of compression and go?

If it is bent, will the head tolerate a skim on these engines. I've had plenty skimmed before including diesels, but mostly Vauxhall/Opel who design in a certain amount of tolerance.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 27 Sep 2011, 22:20

If the head has never been done before then yes they certainly will...

Paul

ex-vaux · Post by **ex-vaux** » 27 Sep 2011, 22:32

Thanks Paul, appreciate the help.

Get it stripped and see what we find!

Chlorate · Post by **Chlorate** » 27 Sep 2011, 23:57

It's usually advisable to skim a head anyway though, just to be on the safe side and give the new gasket a nice clean face to seal with.

If you shop about, most engine refurb workshops will do a simple skim and/or pressure test for not a lot.

Post by **CitroJim** » 28 Sep 2011, 06:07

I certainly agree with Paul about laminated repair gaskets and Chlorate recommending just a light skim to clean up the surface... Money well spent!

Use NEW head bolts; never try to re-use the old ones as they're stretch bolts and intended for one use only.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 28 Sep 2011, 08:13

i agree with Jim on all three counts,

also it can depend on if you release the head in the opposite sequence to torqueing them down to if and how much it warps,

torqueing down is an ever increasing circle, so releaseing is an ever decreasing circle,

regards malcolm

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 28 Sep 2011, 12:44

Id recomend to any one to use NEW bolts,, however, Ive used the same bolts on a number of occasions and never had a problem!!... Yet..

Certainly on a Xantia LX I did about 3 years ago.. I used the same bolts and a laminated gasket and it remained perfect since!

Its still perfect, but the engine is now sitting in a Xantia ROTTON body!! The whole rear end is rotting away... thats the rear wings, rear cills etc.. a very unuseual one for me!

Paul

xmexclusive · Post by **xmexclusive** » 28 Sep 2011, 13:12

The Citroen workshop manuals list head bolt length check dimensions for reuse. The rule on reuse is that All bolts must be fit for reuse. Old and new bolts should never be mixed in a head set.

John

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 28 Sep 2011, 13:34

I was just stating i personally have never had a problem.. But id recomend anyone else TO USE new bolts....

Paul

ex-vaux · Post by **ex-vaux** » 29 Sep 2011, 22:12

Thanks fella's. probably a good idea to strip the head and get a skim done if nothing else to ensure it is flat and to check the valve gear and cam. Take the point about head bolts, I have also re-used old bolts on other cars without any problems, but I've also never had a diesel blow a gasket before! One of the head bolts at the cambelt end was less than tight, but the old girl still fired up and ran okay, Better safe than sorry.

This Xantia is in great condition for its age, no rust anywhere with the exception of one rear inner wing where the arch liner was missing and mud collected behind it. Perfect underneath and the paintwork is still a nice shade of red! So I think it is worth spending a bit to keep on the road, certainly too good to weigh in just yet!