Diesel head gasket

1. pptom L-plater Joined: Nov 2007 northampton Posts: 67

   #1 30th April 2008, 20:32

   The head gasket on my 1.5D has been leaking oil for about 6 weeks - 2 months now and very slowly getting worse. It seems to be the regular problem of oil coming from above the alternator bracket and running down the side of the block.
   
   My question is how long will the head gasket last before it starts leaking water into the engine? I realise its a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question, but I was wondering if anyone else had any experience.
   
   I'm faced with the dilemma of do I sell the car and buy another or do I shell out the best part of £200 and do the HG / cambelt myself (never done either before)
   
   I bought the car for £500 5 months ago and done 7000 miles, pretty sure I can get my money back, if not turn a small profit! trouble then would be finding another good runner.
   
   Thanks for any comments
   
   Tom
2. steviet Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4119

   #2 30th April 2008, 21:13

   i would clean the engine bay and punt it on if it was me, before the problem gets worse. but if you decide to keep it i would get a mechanic to do it.
3. Tim_1 Frequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Porthleven/Cornwall Posts: 601 corsa 1.2 Saxo VTR

   #3 30th April 2008, 21:32

   head gasket and bolts is 50 ish quid
   it would probably take a non experienced person an afternoon to complete it.
4. steviet Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4119

   #4 30th April 2008, 21:37

   it cost me 64quid for a gasket from citroen without the bolts
5. Tim_1 Frequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Porthleven/Cornwall Posts: 601 corsa 1.2 Saxo VTR

   #5 30th April 2008, 21:46

   dont use citroen, use GSF or ebay
6. pptom L-plater Joined: Nov 2007 northampton Posts: 67

   #6 1st May 2008, 19:52

   So is it just the case of locking the cam, crank and diesel pump, undoing the HG bolts, swapping the gasket, and re-fitting, with a new gasket and bolts. Obviously a new cambelt aswell as I'm not 100% sure of this ones history.
7. Tim_1 Frequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Porthleven/Cornwall Posts: 601 corsa 1.2 Saxo VTR

   #7 1st May 2008, 20:34

   Have you got a haynes?
8. pptom L-plater Joined: Nov 2007 northampton Posts: 67

   #8 1st May 2008, 20:47

   Its in the garage somewhere, but if the outline of the work is as I listed above I might be convinced to have a go, its a bit daunting but would be a good learning oportunity.
   I just wondered if it would be wise to have the head skimmed while it was off. I know the previous owner had a new radiator fitted so I'm wondering if it may have overheated at some point and thats what has caused the HG failure.
9. Tim_1 Frequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Porthleven/Cornwall Posts: 601 corsa 1.2 Saxo VTR

   #9 1st May 2008, 22:41

   whilst the head is off id advise getting it skimmed,
   diconnect the battery first and depressurise the fuel system. take the cam belt covers off, lock the cam(s) and crank/flywheel, in TDC. disconnect the manifold.