16v headgasket?

  1. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 3593
    #1
    Is there something I don't know about changing the headgasket on a gti?

    I've spoken to, and been turned down by about 6 garages now. All I want is a headgasket change and a new cambelt. One garage gave me a quote of £900+ which I obviously declined. Apart from that all I get is "we're too busy" or "it'll take up the ramps for the best part of the week"

    Is it an absolute ball ache of a job that nobody wants to do?!

    This is proving to be a nightmare, and I can't sell the car as it is as it'll be worth peanuts.

    I did have a guy that was willing to do it but after 2 months of waiting changed his mind.....I just want it done! I have cash waiting!

  2. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182
    #2
    No not really, but then they might want the hassle! Go to one of the guys on here who do it. Why not do it yourself though?


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  3. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #3
    Right i've never done 1 myself but rightly/wrongly have been told by mechanics that 16v's the actual hg is easy to change.However fitting the new cambelt & getting it timed up correctly is tricky.
  4. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 3593
    #4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gandi699 View Post
    No not really, but then they might want the hassle! Go to one of the guys on here who do it. Why not do it yourself though?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Who does it on here? It's just transporting it places which is the problem as it isn't taxed or insured.

    I did think about doing it myself but to be honest I don't think I'd be capable of such a huge job. I have the time, just not the know-how or tools. I think I'd probably mess it up.
  5. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 3593
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stevo67 View Post
    Right i've never done 1 myself but rightly/wrongly have been told by mechanics that 16v's the actual hg is easy to change.However fitting the new cambelt & getting it timed up correctly is tricky.
    Well, a couple of garages said they would do the cambelt change but not the headgasket. So that's the problem.

    The gasket hasn't actually gone but it's leaking oil from the head so we think the previous owner changed the gasket without getting the head skimmed the twit.
  6. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti
    #6
    Could you not do the head gasket yourself and get someone round (mobile mech) to time it up?
  7. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182
    #7
    Timing it up is the easy part to be honest, getting the head properly prepped and torqued down is the difficult bit if you can even call it difficult to be honest. While it's off though you'd be wise to renew the stem seals and lap the valves back in, yet you'll need more tools for this as well as a torque wrench to bolt it back on to the block. A head reface/skim is wise too to clean it up so it can be refitted - as with most jobs it's all in the prep work.

    Where does it leak oil? If it's above the alternator the it's the usual TU problem of the gasket breaking down around the oil way - could go on for a long time like that if it's not gushing out but it ideally needs changing it you like things right

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  8. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2010 South Wales Posts: 3078 ZX 16v, 205 GTI, 309 Goodwood, 405 MI16.
    #8
    nothing is tricky at all on these, just get some timing pins, time it up, belt off, pulleys off, inner covers out of the way.

    manifolds off, lift head off after undoing headbolts.

    find a local machinist so do all the head work.

    stick it all back together with an o.,e gasket and a fresh belt kit and water pump.

    change oil, filter and coolant, new thermostat.
  9. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by welshpug View Post
    nothing is tricky at all on these, just get some timing pins, time it up, belt off, pulleys off, inner covers out of the way.

    manifolds off, lift head off after undoing headbolts.

    find a local machinist so do all the head work.

    stick it all back together with an o.,e gasket and a fresh belt kit and water pump.

    change oil, filter and coolant, new thermostat.
    As I said at the beginning just going on what i've been told peeps.
  10. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 Kent. Posts: 246 93 BX TXi 1.6 auto,47k 88 SAAB 900i f/lft,69k
    #10
    Dear Muel,
    Do the headgasket yourselfyou can do a far better job of it than a garage will. ( especially with regards to what parts/nuts/bolts etc that should be " threadlocked or not ) and using the correct sealants.
    MY Daughters Saxo had had a new headgasket and new complete exhaust system including the cat, fitted by a current serving Citroen technician. 4,000 miles after we bought it the car started overheating again and the two new middle plugs were orange with rust I removed the head and checked the face with a straight edge and some feeler gauges, the gap was a whopping 7thou lower between the two middle cyinders.
    Apart from having to remove the engine and the automatic gearbox last winter, due to no drive and to fit a used automatic gearbox, the car passed its M.O T with no advisories and has now done another 4,000 miles without me having to even lift the bonnet on her only to check levels
    There are some very kind and knowledgable chaps on here
    I hope this helps
    Vince,











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