Saxo 1.1 head advice

1. borders Newbie Joined: Feb 2013 Brandon Suffolk Posts: 9

   #1 27th February 2013, 14:27

   ok, bought 1st car for son. under pressure and bought at auction seemed ok but isnt.
   
   it's a 1.1 W reg clocked years ticket and tidy. drives well, has a head prob, was hoping to use steel seal
   
   but
   
   its building pressure, did comp test and read 12 , high 9, mid 10 , and 10 bar
   
   ran with 1 plug at a time out and if 1 ( one ) is at cam belt, with rad cap off..
   1 had bubbles and pressure, 2 pressure 3 & 4 okish. tried with 1 & 2 out still a little pressure, im loathe to try a £30 bottle for it not to work. replace engine is not an option, ( im partially disabled) and struggle to get up and down, but to do the head is ok. will not spend anymore than £100.
   
   question is, with the compression reading how does that look. whats the chance on gasket only, if head needed is it worth it bearing in mind budget, as after cost of head set, belt.
2. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #2 27th February 2013, 14:45

   Any creamy substance under the oil filler cap,any smell of petrol from the coolant(rad cap off)?
3. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #3 27th February 2013, 14:50

   Dont waste your money on steel seal. Cheap gasket set £45~, head reface £25, borrow a torque wrench and dial gauge and you could do it for under £100 but you'd probably want to do the cambelt too etc
4. borders Newbie Joined: Feb 2013 Brandon Suffolk Posts: 9

   #4 27th February 2013, 17:25

   thanks guys, there is a bit of cream on the oil cap, not on the surface in contact more so under the thread if that makes sense, i think thats just condensate, no sign of oil mix on dip stick or rad cap. no noticeable fuel smell in water.
   
   only thought of using steel seal as only paying £25. on a decent motor would go head set route but its the cost of everything, head set inc bolts £35 belt, tensioner and water pump £x,
   
   skim head at best or find a replacement and have it skimmed or buy recon, just adds to much onto the car.
   
   added scenario is. this car is £1700 to insure add purchase and repair £2200, or he has seen an 03 corsa twinport £1500 and £1100 to insure, total £2600. i would rather spend more on car and less insurance.
5. Tom5190 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire

   #5 27th February 2013, 18:13

   Were are you located?
6. borders Newbie Joined: Feb 2013 Brandon Suffolk Posts: 9

   #6 28th February 2013, 08:14

   near Thetford on Norfolk Suffolk border