Serviceing. Worth using a gasket weld while im at it?

  1. Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2009 York-Hull Posts: 222 Saxo VTR MK2
    #1
    Going to do a full service on my saxo vtr. Not long ago i had an oild leak which after 5 trips to the garage with new gaskets throughout on two occasions i was told the cam shaft is moving and that this would be a big job (didnt have a garage back then) so left it.

    Looking now, theres no oil coming from the cam shaft seal but there is some oil at the bottom of the engine (very little). As i will be changing the oil, is it worth running a 'steel seal', 'gasket weld' or similar in the oil before i change it?

    If so, which should i use?
  2. Established Member Joined: Apr 2009 Redcar Posts: 1971 2000 Posi Blue vtr
    #2
    Try to avoid additives where possible and locate the source of the leak. Clean the engine so it is easier to see where it is coming from. If it is leaking from between head and block above the alternator (common issue) it is the start of head gasket failure unfortunately.
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  3. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #3
    Spray some gunk engine degreaser on the engine then take it for a run.Then have a look at the engine to get a better idea of where the leak is coming from.Don`t forget when you have an oil leak the oil gets blown around the engine surface making it look like its coming from somewhere its not leaking from.

    Steve.
  4. Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2009 York-Hull Posts: 222 Saxo VTR MK2
    #4
    So thats a no to my question?
  5. Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2009 York-Hull Posts: 222 Saxo VTR MK2
    #5
    Its had a new head gasket 5 times
  6. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #6
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stured View Post
    So thats a no to my question?
    No basically these engine additives/oil treatments do nothing.Plus did you get the head skimmed the 1st time you had the head gasket done?If you didn`t thats possibly where the oil is coming from.


    Steve
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  7. Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2009 York-Hull Posts: 222 Saxo VTR MK2
    #7
    Cheers, i dont think it was. I did say once or twice but the garage insisted it didnt need doing. Cannot remember if they did it in the end! May look into this at a later date, when i come to sell it or somthing.

    Do you know any ball park figures for the cost of a new head, a rebuild engine or just the skimming? If its not too much of a cost (relative) then it could be worth a rebuild, i cant realy let a car be sold on in this condition! ha. Im already looking at new injectors and then somthing to stop it shaking at 80mph (not tracking or balancing) when i get my garage built.
  8. Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2009 LEEDS Posts: 111 1.4 saxo sx
    #8
    bloody hell 5 head gaskets!!! are you changing them every service??? lol
  9. Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2009 York-Hull Posts: 222 Saxo VTR MK2
    #9
    Lol no. Just the garage changed the cam belt, then when i got it back it turns out the headgasket had blown (cam belt must have been keeping it together ) as there was oil on my drive so i took it back. Every time they said they fixed it, i get it back and still leaking, this happened about 5 times. They did a complete seal set at least twice and ended up putting in a vw gasket in.

    I wasnt too bothered at the time as i only paid for the one gasket to be fixed, but ended up with a load of bull (only later i realised it was bull) about the cam needing replacing to fix the leak, as this was when it was coming from (Which i now see it isnt).
  10. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2010 swindon Posts: 225 1.1i
    #10
    spary brake cleaner on it and then try locate it