Possible Head Gasket???

1. Ben3991 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Felixstowe Posts: 328 Saxo VTR 1.6

   #1 1st February 2010, 23:19

   Helloooo, ready for a long read?
   
   Right, my vtr needed a new clutch/bearing as we could hear the bearing grinding sound so did that and also replaced the radiator. Filled the coolant up and it came pissing out again.
   
   Immedietley we thought water pump so i got a new pump and cam belt kit and fitted today.
   
   When fitting realised that the core plug beneath the cam pully was missing and this was actually the cause of the leak.
   
   Found the plug in the belt casing and refitted.
   
   Started the car and we had all the signs of the gasket being knackered. Water and smoke from exhuast(although it was not dark smoke and smelled and tasted like it wasnt coolant), misfirng badly, coolant bubbling.
   
   Took for a drive and heard popping as you would expect from a raspy sports exhaust, few misfires but other than that was fine.
   
   let it idle in the workshop for a bit and we had all the same problems as before.
   
   I then drove home with plenty of coolant and a tow rope just in case lol and you wouldnt think the car had any problems, about a 4 mile stop and start journey and temp got no where near half, no missfires and when we got home it idled perfectly. ALthough some coolant had been lost.
   
   Engine managment light is pretty much always on now, whereas when we just fitted the belt is flashing with no real pattern.
   
   Also note we did a chemical test which came out with no problems at all didnt change colour at all.
   
   All the signes were pointing towards gasket but im now starting to think possibly and idling problem?
   
   
   Vtr by the way
   
   
   Thanks
2. user_10418 Saxperience Addict Joined: Jun 2006 Wirral Posts: 13584 Wickerd red VTS MK2, Two tone VTS MK2,vvc Metro..

   #2 1st February 2010, 23:20

   sounds like gasket bud..........
3. Ben3991 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Felixstowe Posts: 328 Saxo VTR 1.6

   #3 1st February 2010, 23:22

   hmmmm, this is what the general feel was. only thing making me think differently is that it now seems to be fine and the chemical test?
4. user_10418 Saxperience Addict Joined: Jun 2006 Wirral Posts: 13584 Wickerd red VTS MK2, Two tone VTS MK2,vvc Metro..

   #4 1st February 2010, 23:23

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Ben3991 hmmmm, this is what the general feel was. only thing making me think differently is that it now seems to be fine and the chemical test?

   just keep eye on it for few days!! oil and water!!
5. Ben3991 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Felixstowe Posts: 328 Saxo VTR 1.6

   #5 1st February 2010, 23:25

   yer, this is what we said we would do, if it idles and drives fine but is loosing water still wat wud u say?
   
   by the way thanks for your help
6. user_10418 Saxperience Addict Joined: Jun 2006 Wirral Posts: 13584 Wickerd red VTS MK2, Two tone VTS MK2,vvc Metro..

   #6 1st February 2010, 23:27

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Ben3991 yer, this is what we said we would do, if it idles and drives fine but is loosing water still wat wud u say? by the way thanks for your help

   could be your thermostat,boiling the water over!! or even air lock can cause this sort of problem
7. Ben3991 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Felixstowe Posts: 328 Saxo VTR 1.6

   #7 1st February 2010, 23:33

   thermostat? would this cause the misfire? and we bled the system loads lol so pretyy sure theres no air unfortuently
8. Ben3991 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Felixstowe Posts: 328 Saxo VTR 1.6

   #8 2nd February 2010, 10:22

   anymore ideas?
9. JoshWestCoast Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Oxford Posts: 173 Saxo 1.4i Westcoast

   #9 4th March 2010, 21:40

   sounds like the same as what mine was doing, took to garage and it was the headgasket, cylinder head was warped too :'(
10. 1-1dicky Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 maidstone Posts: 702 saxo vtr

    #10 4th March 2010, 22:02

    your water also would have gone down after a drive because the engine is still getting air out the system, done this with my engine too, if it was ok before you done all the work then it should be ok