Eating head gaskets

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TomH
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Eating head gaskets

Post by TomH »

The head gasket on my ZX went again this weekend. This is the second time it has blown since it was originally replaced 11 months (and about 7 thousand miles) ago when the head had to come out for other reasons
Now surely this isn't right.
What could cause this continual failure? Is it likely to be bad work on the head skim and refitting by the mechanic, or can there be some other fault that causes the pistons to hit it? It hasn't been overheating and the coolant level was always fine.
Anyhow, I'm jaded, I'm getting it fixed and then selling. [:(]
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Post by AndersDK »

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Anyhow, I'm jaded, I'm getting it fixed and then selling. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
- and pass on the problems to another poor owner [}:)]
The pistons dont hit the head - as then the starter cant crank the engine.
I must say I do suspect slubbish work from the garage. If I had the chance - working under pressure, I'd skip the head skimming - saves money & precious time - and everything is fine on immediate test run [B)]
But -
it is widely known that the cause of HG failures first off is in-adequate cooling - often caused by a clogged radiator. Even 30% down on the radiator flow may be fatal to the HG.
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Post by paranoid »

Tis True.....
Neighbour thought h/gaskets were a consumable on his G reg Escort, He had 2 gaskets and was about to swap head, before I suggested a new Radiator, Viola no more problems (touch wood after 8 months)
Only after owning a citroen though did it become so critical, never seemed to matter that much on my past cars.
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TomH
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Post by TomH »

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by AndersDK</i>
it is widely known that the cause of HG failures first off is in-adequate cooling - often caused by a clogged radiator. Even 30% down on the radiator flow may be fatal to the HG.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
could the radiator be at fault even if there are no signs of inadequate cooling?
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Post by prm »

Tom
Initially I would go for head requires a skim as previously mentioned, to blow head gaskets on a regular basis.
You may have a coolant blockage or restriction on a particular section within the head/block, causing a hot spot.
Crud from previous gasket repairs ??
A water flow test on all the galleries ounce removed may give you an indication.
Citroen seem to be rather prone to rad restriction ounce mileage goes over 100k. With your normal running temp, fans could possibly be working harder. Try a rad/coolant flush before next replacement.
Also not unknown for slag on original casting to block/restrict waterways.
Peter
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Post by alan s »

Do these have "stretch" head bolts and if so, were they replaced at the last head off job?
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Post by Mosser »

and do the head spacers need washers ?, if they do need them and they werent fitted, then the head wont have been torqued down enough as they bolts bottom out
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Post by uhn113x »

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

Viola no more problems (touch wood after 8 months)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Was he good at playing it? [}:)][;)]
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Panjandrum
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Post by Panjandrum »

[:D]uhn113x
As soon as I read paranoid's post I guessed you'd be along shortly. Thought Viola was his partner until I spotted the random capitalisation. It's a hard life being a pedantic git - I should know[:D][:D]
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Post by tomsheppard »

And I thought it was a range of Fiats. (Stradavarii).
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Post by G4EIY »

Tom,
BX Gasket Failure.
Just posted some thoughts on the Hints and Tips section,
may be of some help.
Cheers
Bye the way Maplin do not stock the LM35 chips any more, any other suggestions where to get them ?...
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Post by RichardW »

Tom,
Apart from the usual checks (including possibly a pressure check on the head this time) - have a good look at the block. I have just remembered a discussion some time back about a BX 1.9D that kept blowing head gaskets. It tunred out that the block had become slightly raised around some (can't remember how many) of the head bolt holes, causing the HG to fail. I think the owner ground back the raised bits with an oil stone, and no more HG probs. Still, if you're going to sell it, caveat emptor and all that.....[}:)]
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uhn113x
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Post by uhn113x »

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

[:D]uhn113x
It's a hard life being a pedantic git - I should know[:D][:D]
PJ
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
'Tis fun, though, PJ. Sets me up for the day. Maybe I should be guiled with schrebs! [}:)]
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uhn113x
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Post by uhn113x »

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by G4EIY</i>
Bye the way Maplin do not stock the LM35 chips any more, any other suggestions where to get them ?...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Eh? I must have missed this bit?
The temperature sensor chip, Brian? http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LM35.html
You may try CPC, Farnell, RS, although finding anything on their badly-designed web sites is a Herculean task
HTH
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TomH
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Post by TomH »

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

Tom,
Apart from the usual checks (including possibly a pressure check on the head this time) - have a good look at the block. I have just remembered a discussion some time back about a BX 1.9D that kept blowing head gaskets. It tunred out that the block had become slightly raised around some (can't remember how many) of the head bolt holes, causing the HG to fail. I think the owner ground back the raised bits with an oil stone, and no more HG probs. Still, if you're going to sell it, caveat emptor and all that.....[}:)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
cheers.
It doesn't have the same symptoms as the head gasket last time. Last time had all the typical symptoms of oil in water and pressurising system etc, this time it is just a very rapid loss of coolant pouring out from somewhere in the head.
However, I do not have the time or experience to do the job myself. My mechanic has effectively told me it isn't really worth sorting out (well either that or he doesn't want to do the work!!) and I'm thinking the same way. I've been thinking about getting a new car anyway, and I need one ASAP that I can rely on.
So if anyone wants to buy it, make me an offer! Might formulate an ad for the sale/wanted forum soon!
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