Possible head gasket gone?

1. Gregoor Newbie Joined: Jun 2010 Edinburgh Posts: 12 Peugeot 106 Quiksilver Citroen Saxo VTR

   #1 15th November 2011, 22:58

   I'm praying it's just the seals as i'd much rather lower my car and get new wheels than spend money on this but.. Yeah.
   
   Basically there's like a split in the rubber seal round the bottom of my rocker cover/round my headgasket (don't know the name but i'm sure you can understand my idiot speak) and there's oil over the front left (or front right depending on what way you look at it... the side opposite the air filter side) of my engine.
   
   However, I have noticed no loss in power at all which leads me to believe it could just be the seals? And although there's quite a lot of oil it's not absolutely pissing out, just like.. a noticeable amount in the engine. You can clearly see where where the seal is split and that it's definitely where the leak is coming from.
   
   I have searched this but nothing I read was 100% clear to me.
   
   Thansk to anyone who answers!
2. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

   #2 15th November 2011, 23:01

   Sounds like its just the rocker cover seal from what your saying, couple of quid for a new seal.
3. Cam Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.

   #3 15th November 2011, 23:02

   So where is it coming from the rocker cover or the headgasket dont make sense the head is inbertwen them.?
4. Gregoor Newbie Joined: Jun 2010 Edinburgh Posts: 12 Peugeot 106 Quiksilver Citroen Saxo VTR

   #4 15th November 2011, 23:08

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Ben_SaxoForte Sounds like its just the rocker cover seal from what your saying, couple of quid for a new seal.

   I hope you're right, and in response to the second comment, I honestly don't know.. just like the rubber seal thing.. I'm shit on technical terms haha!
   
   This isn't my engine but the bit i've circled is the spot that its split at and it's where the oil is coming from
5. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #5 15th November 2011, 23:09

   I reckon its leaking between the block and head which is the head gasket. Usually they failure on the oilway that runs there and leak down the front of the block. Worth fixing if you can but its not overly critical if its not pissing out
   
   Just seen the pic. Its a nice easy fix, a few quid at max to fix!
6. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

   #6 15th November 2011, 23:12

   clean the engine up where its been leaking and run the engine see if you can see where its leaking from, if its at the top where you circled it will probably be the rocker cover seal, if its lower down then its probably the headgasket as said.
7. Cam Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.

   #7 15th November 2011, 23:13

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gregoor I hope you're right, and in response to the second comment, I honestly don't know.. just like the rubber seal thing.. I'm shit on technical terms haha! This isn't my engine but the bit i've circled is the spot that its split at and it's where the oil is coming from

   Rocker cover mate go on ebay type in saxo rocker cover gasket yours is the 8 valve model there all the same.
8. Gregoor Newbie Joined: Jun 2010 Edinburgh Posts: 12 Peugeot 106 Quiksilver Citroen Saxo VTR

   #8 15th November 2011, 23:15

   Ok thanks a lot guys, just ordered one of those rocker cover gaskets for like a fiver haha, believe it or not I have a qualification in vehicle maintenance so I should be good with fitting it myself, just shit with technical terms lmao! I'll clean it up, replace that, go for a drive... pray... then look and see if it's sorted!
9. Cam Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.

   #9 16th November 2011, 17:54

   Cool mate, when you un-do the rocker cover and replace it dont not over tighten the studs as they like to snap.
10. user_47680 Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2010 Cornwall Posts: 236 2001 Saxo VTR

    #10 16th November 2011, 18:39

    Make sure you clean up and remove the oil around the edge where the seal will sit when you do replace it.
    
    Also if oil continues to leak after a few weeks or months then the chances are the rocker cover has warped so you will have to replace it, as long as the seal is still in good condition you can reuse it. There only 20 quid from Citroen anyways.
    
    The stud nuts need not to be tight at all just enough as said. I over tightened mine needed new cap nuts and studs :/
    
    That deffo isn't the head gasket as the gasket sits between the block and the head (so underneath the exhaust manifold and inlet. Where the head and block meet)
11. chris-hall-yo Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2011 Stratford-upon-avon Posts: 596 Saxo 1.1

    #11 16th November 2011, 18:43

    i have the same problem and a friend had the same. think its a common problem!
12. Tom5190 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire

    #12 16th November 2011, 18:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gregoor Ok thanks a lot guys, just ordered one of those rocker cover gaskets for like a fiver haha, believe it or not I have a qualification in vehicle maintenance so I should be good with fitting it myself, just shit with technical terms lmao! I'll clean it up, replace that, go for a drive... pray... then look and see if it's sorted!

    From were!?!?!
13. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

    #13 16th November 2011, 19:08

    hope that sorts it
14. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #14 16th November 2011, 19:08

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ben_SaxoForte clean the engine up where its been leaking and run the engine see if you can see where its leaking from, if its at the top where you circled it will probably be the rocker cover seal, if its lower down then its probably the headgasket as said.

    +1 the rocker cover seal is easy enough to do,just don`t overtighten the 2 bolts as they can shear off.
15. user_54159 L-plater Joined: Aug 2011 Streatham, London Posts: 37 MK1 Citroen Saxo 1.4i SX

    #15 17th November 2011, 17:25

    I had this with mine and i was told it was head gasket, apparently with saxos the head gasket mainly fails on the left side of the block first.
16. Gregoor Newbie Joined: Jun 2010 Edinburgh Posts: 12 Peugeot 106 Quiksilver Citroen Saxo VTR

    #16 20th November 2011, 17:10

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tom5190 From were!?!?!

    Went to a college near my town mate, quite a common course I think!
    
    And I got a new gasket, put it on.. then realised the fucking thing was split!
    
    Not happy at all, i have ordered another one from a different seller. Can't drive my car at the moment at all! Very annoying that something worth a few quid can completely put the car out of action!
17. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #17 20th November 2011, 21:59

    When you take off the rocker cover,check to see the metal baffle underneath isn`t warped.As these can prevent you from getting a good seal between the cover & the head.Also smear a little engine oil around the head as it helps get a good seal too.