ZX Coolant Leakage

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Brian Oblivion
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Joined: 19 Jan 2004, 14:48
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Post by Brian Oblivion »

This is slightly off the topic in question but why cannot the blowing head gasket problem be alleviated by a pressure relief valve at the top of the system that bleeds only air?
gjb02
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Joined: 20 Jul 2002, 20:37
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Post by gjb02 »

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

Is there anything I should be wary of when getting someone to do this job for me? I have booked it in to a local independant citroen specialist near me. I have always been very pleased with the work I have done there in the past, and I am a bit of a perfectionist! Current quote is £360+vat with maybe another £50+vat if the head needs to be skimmed. Does this seem resaonable? Haynes says that you can only get one thickness of gasket for the 1998cc engines. Does this mean that the head can't be skimmed? I would have like to have done the job myself over a couple of weekends, but I'm moving house and jobs in two weeks time so just haven't got time to do it now [:(]
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I had to do the the head on my ZX 16v before xmas, it took over two weeks on and off to complete. Make sure you get the quote in writting!! The parts alone..Head Gasket, Head gasket set, oil, oil filter, coolant and head bolts, should cost in the region of £150 alone. If they have only quoted an additional £210 for labour I'd snap their arms off!![:D]
It's a bitch of a job to do yourself! I had to have my head welded, skimmed and all the valves cut in and lapped. That alone cost £300.
All in, just ask if they are just changing the gasket.
The oil and coolant should be changed...they're contaminated now!!
The head should be decarboned, and the oil seals changed..camshaft, valve stems etc.
If the valves are out get the lapped in. It's false economy to have the head off and not give it a good going over.
Think about the timing belt tensioners as well. And of course the timing belt should be changed if its been disturbed. Even if its just been done.
If the quote is still the same after you have asked if any of the above is being carried out, go for it. Get it in writting though.. if your camshaft oil seal starts leaking in 1000miles......you'll know it should have been done.
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