Think my berlingo has hgf

[daviemck2006]

Well the garage that told me that Kerri's astra head gasket would quickly mount up to well over a grand just told me 5 to 600 for the berlingo. Another garage told me sell it very quickly cos the oil and coolant are not mixed and it's running perfectly. It's due me £800 with the new axle on, it's a 2006 with 131k on it I would say real value if it was ok an out 1000 to 1200. If it cost 600 to fix that makes it too expensive but I know I then have a new axle and good engine. If I sell it and buy another then the chances are I will need to do another axle which to be honest I'm not keen on. Fix it myself, outside in the winter here is doable, would take time, I have time. That's the cheapest option. Not made my mind up yet.

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[daviemck2006]

Before I started it today the coolant hoses were all solid and when I took the expansion tank top off it nearly got blown out of my hand. Two garages did say hgf. I have two options to mull over. It's either off to auction with it hoping I get nearly money back, or do it myself at the side of the house which will take god knows how long at this time of year. It's near dark now at 15.30 and blooming freezing. I wouldn't manage more than an hour or so at a time just now. If I go that route then it will likely be a few months before it is running. That will mean the activa will get more use than planned over the winter as I think Shaun is going to use the 107 more over the winter rather than his civic, his Skoda is in the middle of an engine rebuild.

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[ekjdm14]

I stand corrected Gibbo, I thought it would have been fairly routine HG job on an 8v HDi, what kind of problems is one likely to run across during replacement?

[CitroJim]

It's a difficult one Davie Doing a head gasket in this weather at this time of the year is grim. I did a 1.9TD (not mine) on the side of the road at this time of the year a few years ago and it took bloody ages due to the weather constantly fighting us... That was down here in the balmy south - up your way it is not going to be in your favour at all..

On balance and considering all, I'd auction quick whilst it's still reasonably OK...

[daviemck2006]

I honestly think this is the way I'm going to go. A very recent receipt for a recon axle lying on the dash should help it's cause at auction. It looks tidy enough, has two recent new budget tyres on the back and two Michelin on the front, new discs and pads visible through the wheels so hopefully I may get near money back.

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[bxzx16v]

I think the best option is to auction it Davie , putting the activa into too much daily use this time of year wouldn't be too good though .

Mark

[CitroJim]

putting the activa into too much daily use this time of year wouldn't be too good though .

Yes, certainly Mark... Best to keep the winter miles away from the Activa...

[lexi]

It looks like my Donk will be binned if HGF crops up. How much are the parts then? Sound like a pain for the sore back club members too.

[Gibbo2286]

I stand corrected Gibbo, I thought it would have been fairly routine HG job on an 8v HDi, what kind of problems is one likely to run across during replacement?

If your Berlingo has the torx head bolts like the C5 sunk into the head then your first problem might be getting them out, they're damned tight and no matter how careful you are you can tear off the torx portion of the bolt head trying to undo them, if that happens you now have the problem of how to get the bolts out without torx heads but still tight down under the flanged bolt head
Being HT steel they won't drill easily, I've seen them ground out using ball shaped grinding wheels but the cylinder head can be damaged that way because you're grinding HT steel adjacent to aluminium.
All this won't matter of course if they do come out easily but it has to be considered when sizing up the job and there's no way to know until you start.

[CitroJim]

I can see where those sunken Torx bolts would be a huge problem...

[daviemck2006]

Well it looks like blingo will be heading to the auction later this week. The 107 is available for me at some times. I don't want to be using the activa for any daily duties if there is snow or ice on the go. I think this time I am going to look for an auto, I have just missed out on what could have been a good one for me, hey ho, that's how it goes. I don't really want too big or else I could go c5 hdi auto, c4 would be better size, but I ain't touching an egs box even if it was free, so maybe a c4 1.6 petrol slush box or if they are available a c3 slush box, but I presume most of those autos are the dreaded sensodrive. Gosh here I go again [emoji34][emoji22]

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[Gibbo2286]

Probably shouldn't say this here but a couple of years ago when I was in the same position as you, car broke down in December.
I parked it up until the springtime, bought a cheapie Toyota Avensis Estate on Ebay and used it until I'd got my car sorted then resold the Toyota at a small profit, again on Ebay.

[daviemck2006]

Probably shouldn't say this here but a couple of years ago when I was in the same position as you, car broke down in December.
I parked it up until the springtime, bought a cheapie Toyota Avensis Estate on Ebay and used it until I'd got my car sorted then resold the Toyota at a small profit, again on Ebay.

That is under consideration!

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[jgra1]

I have just done an 8v HG Davie.. outside mostly, and other work was being done on the vehicle, so I didn't/couldn't rush it.. and I had the advantage of the whole engine out of vehicle..

not much I can add.. from my experience this was just a regular job.. costs were £60 for gaskets and bolts I think.. I did a clutch and cambelt at same time.. nothing had even failed on this engine! but I was bored and at the time not redundant lol.. add in coolant filters oil, gearbox oil. PS fluid.. it has been the most expensive job I have ever undertaken and is far from done.. that's another story..

John

[daviemck2006]

There is a big consideration here. I really like the berlingo. If I sell it I will very possibly buy another. Then it could very possibly be another axle! £300 ching! So seeing that this one has a new axle, new brakes all round, decent tyres, and no rust the best bet I think is really park it at the side of the house until spring and did it for maybe £60 gasket kit and bolts and another £50 timing belt and water pump. Just over 100 notes and I know all weak points are addressed.

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