head gasket

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lara
Posts: 17
Joined: 20 Aug 2001, 01:05
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

head gasket

Post by lara »

I am planning to replace my head gasket on a 1989 1.7 turbo diesel Bx. It seems fairly simple in the book. Can anyone tell me of any problems e.g. siezed nuts and bolts, resealing the turbo, do I need to get the head checked and skimmed etc?
lara stowers
Dave Burns
Posts: 1915
Joined: 14 May 2001, 05:30
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:
x 2

Post by Dave Burns »

Hi Lara, if the bx turbo is anything like the zx turbo then removing the head in situ can be an unpleasant task but by no means impossible, it is however worth considering the condition of the clutch and water pump at high mileage and give some thought to removing the lump and replacing those aswell if they have seen long service, it's much more pleasant to take the head off without having to struggle and graze your hands getting into tight places, I did a zx td head gasket a few years ago and would prefer to take the engine out if I had to do it again, if it was'nt for the turbo it would be easey but removing it prior to the head was alot more groveling about than I cared for, If it's up near the 200,000 mile mark then the valves will more than likely be in need of attention, I had to have four new exhaust guides (and a valve and seat but due to damage, not normal wear) at only 90,000 miles and had all the valves lapped, the problem with doing the valves yourself is getting hold of the appropriate shims to provide the propper clearance, people I have talked to about doing this were not impressed at the length of time it took to get hold of them so I had it done by a specialist in Sheffield who did the lot including pressure testing and skimming at the same time, if you go ahead don't ba alarmed at small cracks in the swirl chambers, as long as they are not loose or have bits falling off them they're ok, probably the most difficult to remove bolt will be crankshaft pulley bolt, it has threadlock compound on it and for this reason should be loosened with the engine hot, even then you need good quality socketry and a fair bit of muscle.
Good luck
Dave
Dave W
Posts: 1
Joined: 28 Nov 2001, 18:46
Location: United Kingdom
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Post by Dave W »

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I am planning to replace my head gasket on a 1989 1.7 turbo diesel Bx. It seems fairly simple in the book. Can anyone tell me of any problems e.g. siezed nuts and bolts, resealing the turbo, do I need to get the head checked and skimmed etc?
lara stowers
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Lara, I have been trying to take my Turbo Diesel BX Head off for the last 6 months. If I can offer suggestions,
1. Take the downpipe to exhaust off first. (A pit at this point is handy.) It is not until you get to this point in the manual that you suddenly realise that there is no room to get under or down to the downpipe/exhaust unless you have axle stands and a hydralic jack.
2. It is far easier in hindsight to remove the engine from the car before stripping the engine down to the head. The alun key bolts in the alloy turbo air pipe to manifold has limited room for removing the bolts and in the end I found that one alun bolt on RH side of head I cannot get to, in situ as the rubber hosing is directly infront of it and no matter what tool I use there is no room to manoeuvre. With the engine out this would be easily removed.
I have ended up having to get a mobile mechanic in to get the downpipe to manifold undone, the head off and investigated. I am unsure as to whther in the end this was at all a cost effective way of resolving the heat and overheating problem that originally caused the head gasket to go.
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