head gasket and heat matrix both gone :(

[Harry1975]

bloody sods law, just finished the work for mot ( ball joints ,boots on wishbones, boots on roll bar, new offside break caliper , front center sphere ,new LHM , all bleed,new thermostat ,housing and top rad pipe( quick release system, pain in the arse to get from citroen) i was bleeding the air out the water system and the head gasket has gone, steam coming out the exhaust ( looks like a steam train) and passager carpet wet, so heater matrix gone as well. Im not very happy as cant afford new car as need the car to earn cash to pay for it (self-employed ) chicken and egg springs to mind. well parts only £80, head gasket set, new head bolts and new heater matrix. the joys of running an old car ! Any advice on the work needed will be most welcome,its a 1.8 16v xantia N reg 120000 miles. up to now engine been sweet as a nut. taking head off tomorrow and start on taking the dash out to, so wish me some luck people as i need some at the moment
Thanks Harry

[RichardW]

Heater matrix info linked in This post At least there will be plenty of access to the matrix connector with the head off HGF on the petrols is pretty rare, but shouldn't be too arduous.

[Lighty]

Dont break the water pipes going to the matrix, they cost a fortune.
Good luck with the repair

[Deanxm]

lucky its petrol really as the head gasket is fairly simple, the heater matrix is a boring job but not difficult, best of luck.

D

[Harry1975]

thanks guys for the advice, head looks easy to get off an 1-2 hour job, dash should be fun, though do have a few panels missing at the mo, due to other repairs, Ive fitted a new gearbox to her before, which is a bugger to get out and back in again ! tomorrow will take head off and pray that its only the gasket and not the head, if so then time to scrap her