Help please with Xantia 1.9td

Taxi-Paul · Unread post by **Taxi-Paul** » 19 Oct 2003, 19:57

Hi, I've just done a head gasket on my Xantia 1.9td cos it blew between 2 cylinders. When the head was off it looked not too good but I tried a new head gasket anyway, but it now pressurises the water system instantly, one of the worse I've ever seen. I use it as a taxi and it has now put me in a difficult position so I need to sort something out.
I never knew head settings so just used a torque wrench in 3 stages up to about 100 -110 lbs, is this enough?
Whats the chance of me re-torquing it harder?
I personally think the head is shot but I am not prepared to pay £405 for a new head. The car cost me £900 (1995) (M-reg) and I still owe £400 on it.
I am desperate so any suggestions are grateful
regards Paul [:(]

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 19 Oct 2003, 20:11

Two questions first - did you have it checked/skimmed. Have you used new head bolts? Have you got the correct thickness of gasket? The sequence for tightening from the centre is: first stage 15lbs/ft, 2nd stage 44lbs/ft and 3rd stage a further 220 degrees.

Taxi-Paul · Unread post by **Taxi-Paul** » 19 Oct 2003, 20:20

Hi, It had a 3 notch gasket with which I replaced the same. I never had it checked /skimmed although I knew I should of I guess, but in my job and what with the weekend I needed it done. (yeah I know, ser ve me right [^] )
I think another recon head maybe needed, but I could try tightening further first. Paul.
ps, No I never used new head bolts, should I have done?

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 19 Oct 2003, 21:18

Head bolts - they stretch in use. They can be measured and if they are found to be below a certain length, they can be used again. But in practice, it's advisable to use new ones.

Taxi-Paul · Unread post by **Taxi-Paul** » 20 Oct 2003, 02:10

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by JohnD</i>

Two questions first - did you have it checked/skimmed. Have you used new head bolts? Have you got the correct thickness of gasket? The sequence for tightening from the centre is: first stage 15lbs/ft, 2nd stage 44lbs/ft and 3rd stage a further 220 degrees.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Hi and thanks [:)] About the tightening sequence, is the 220 degrees all in one go? It just seemed a lot to me. I'll get new bolts as well I think. Ta Paul

CITMAN · Unread post by **CITMAN** » 20 Oct 2003, 02:36

DONT FORGOT TO GET ANOTHER GASKET AS WELL COS YOU CANT USE THE OLD ONE AGAIN.

Taxi-Paul · Unread post by **Taxi-Paul** » 22 Oct 2003, 00:53

Well I ended up taking head off again looked for another one. I used one from a 1997 peugeot 406, just swapped my injectors to other head, but had problem with one which is now leaking. I'm taking it to this guy tomorrow who is going to stop the injector leaking hopefully, but other than that it now runs fine.
Took it round the block and it went better than ever, old head must of been poor for ages I guess. I can actually feel the power increase substantially.
I used new head bolts, cam belt, another head gasket & manifold gasket all from Car parts place N London
Oh, and I antifreezed up as well
Btw, other head looked almost new and cost £60
regards fox