Head Gasket.

1. adam_forte91 Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Peterborough Posts: 18 Saxo Forte

   #1 23rd February 2012, 14:41

   Alright!
   Just wanted some help and advice really. Back when we had that freezing weather in Jan, i started the car and drove off in it for, say about a mile and turned around as i realised my mistake. I didnt check the antifreeze and when i got back i realised my mistake as the water had obviously frozen.
   
   Now, taking off my my radiator cap and oil cap there is all gunk and obviously its all been mixing together and such. It's been like that for about 2 weeks or so.. Got a second opinion and he thinks that it is definitely the head gasket. Im a fairly competent mechanic so i have no trouble doing the job myself as itll probably take up to 4 hours and that isn't the issue. Should i go all out on the job and get the head skimmed and pressure tested and replace the timing belt, gaskets, screws etc.. Or should i try 'Steel Seal' that says it fixes any head gasket jobs..?
   
   Ive not really noticed any loss of power (not that you get much from a 1.1 anyway) and there hasnt been any leaks.. so maybe i could get some engine flush and replace the oil and filter and see if that does anything. Just a casual dilemma really as i dont know which way to go.
   
   Any sort of help would be much appreciated!
   Cheers
2. jamievt Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2011 blackpool Posts: 204 saxo vtr

   #2 23rd February 2012, 15:20

   i would just suggest the quick asy fix to see if that helps as your mechanic it'd make sense yo try that see if it works if not then go all out no point in splashing cash if its not needed
3. adam_forte91 Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Peterborough Posts: 18 Saxo Forte

   #3 23rd February 2012, 15:27

   that's what i thought, thanks. i'll do all the necessary replacements of fluids aswell see if that changes anything
4. user_35090 Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 west mids (dudley) Posts: 1201 cammed 106 flatty

   #4 23rd February 2012, 16:29

   drain the cooling system then flush the rad out with some rad flush.
   
   when you fill it back up and bleed the system use clear water, then let it idle for a good 20 mins let it get nice and hot. check the colour of the water again see if its contaminated.
   
   id try all the little things first as it might sort it.
   
   have your heaters gone cold at any point?
5. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #5 23rd February 2012, 16:30

   You've clearly either got a bad head gasket or a crack in the block/head - oil isnt going to be in the cooling system from anywhere else on a 1.1. If you can do it yourself then fair enough but you have to ask yourself is it really worth all the expense on a 1.1. Also steel seal is a shit gimmick, avoid it
6. jamievt Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2011 blackpool Posts: 204 saxo vtr

   #6 23rd February 2012, 17:11

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gandi699 You've clearly either got a bad head gasket or a crack in the block/head - oil isnt going to be in the cooling system from anywhere else on a 1.1. If you can do it yourself then fair enough but you have to ask yourself is it really worth all the expense on a 1.1. Also steel seal is a shit gimmick, avoid it

   i was thinking the same but if hes mechanic its only the parts that will cost not labour which is usually the killer..
7. adam_forte91 Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Peterborough Posts: 18 Saxo Forte

   #7 24th February 2012, 15:01

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevo1600 drain the cooling system then flush the rad out with some rad flush. when you fill it back up and bleed the system use clear water, then let it idle for a good 20 mins let it get nice and hot. check the colour of the water again see if its contaminated. id try all the little things first as it might sort it. have your heaters gone cold at any point?

   Will do! Nah, theyre all working fine. hot when they need to be. as i said, i've not noticed any loss in power or any oil leaks.
   
   Thanks for the tip jamie, i wont bother with that then. i'd love to just get rid of it, however the funds are there unless i sell this for a decent amount of money to get a new one
8. adam_forte91 Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Peterborough Posts: 18 Saxo Forte

   #8 24th February 2012, 15:02

   Sorry, mean Gandi!
9. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #9 24th February 2012, 15:37

   If you do it yourself a full gasket/bolt kit can be had for 50 quid odd, 20nm capable torque wrench and obviously a head reface/skim for about £30. You'll obviously need new oil and coolant on top of this plus the associated filter
10. user_35090 Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 west mids (dudley) Posts: 1201 cammed 106 flatty

    #10 24th February 2012, 16:24

    i agree with gandi tbh. a full head change is easy and cheap enough just take your time if you do it yourself.
11. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

    #11 24th February 2012, 18:52

    k-seal, quick steel etc is all a load of bollocks, do the job and be done with it. Having said that, i've used blockseal in an earthmover engine with a cracked block but thats a different matter, you'd need a forklift just to get the starter off one of those so bugger stripping the engine!
12. adam_forte91 Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Peterborough Posts: 18 Saxo Forte

    #12 27th February 2012, 12:04

    Thanks for all the help.
    
    I'm gonna drain the rad and flush it later today and replace the oil. I may as well start with the easiest fixes as the deposit/gunk hasn't got any worse since i last cleaned it. So i'll let everyone know whats happening over the next few days and if the gunk returns!