head gasket????

[Euan]

was checking out the car 2nite and found the dreaded creamy shit in my oil filler cap and surrounding area. i know this is a sign of the head gasket on its way out. just wondering if it could be something else.(noticed that there is above the normal level of coolant in the tank) its not drinking water or showing any other signs. any advice welcome.

cheers

[elsey197]

i get this in my gte but haven't been losing water either, posted about it on here a while ago, people said it may just be condensation, do you use the car for short journeys a lot. i do and mines still fine but still get that white crap.

[_JH_]

could be many things. fairly new to nova engines and haven't had much experience with them yet, but with some small engines like the 1117/8cc ohv fiesta engines, there is that white sludge around the filler cap 9 times outta 10, just cos they are prone to it.

start the car from cold, and take a seat behind and watch the exhaust gases. if after a few minutes (once the engine is warm, the thermostat has opened, and the water is pumping around the engine properly) there is a distinct change in the smoke etc then it may be on its way out. problem is, there are several different symptoms, having one doesnt mean she's gonna blow, but not having one doesnt mean she isnt, if you catch my drift.

clear as much of the sludge away as you can, and sit back and wait for any major changes in the cars behaviour.

[Euan]

i've never noticed it before!

i hardly use the car at all. it drives out of my drive onto the road and back in again everyday (bout 30m all in) if i ignore this without changing the head gasket could it cause any major probs? is it a really difficult job to change 1. cus i aint paying a garage bill!! :)

[nova dosed]

nah m8 head gasket change on a nova is dead easy just takes a while to undo the manifold bolts. i did it in 3 1/2 hours strip rebuild plus goin to get some gasket seal stuff as well. If i was u i wud take the carb off with the head and leave the inlet manifold attatched as it saves so much time.

Just make sure u mark all ur timing up otherwise ur fcuked

Oh and by the way escorts are prone to sludgin i got sick of cleaning me mums when she had it. But it was a ford (fix or repair daily) lol.
U might be able to buy sumet for it u never know untill u ask a shop

[Euan]

is there anythin else worth doin whilst i have the head off?

eg changing timing belt??

i've got a webber to put on so might just be worth doin both jobs at the sametime.

any tips??

[nova dosed]

yea chang the belt might as well to be safe.
Change the webber whilet the head is off if u know what i mean its alot easier and alot less fiddly.
Get the head skimmed at the same time and also get the valves re seated normal a pound a valve.
new cam lol makes a big difference did in mine. check the valves for wear also the followers and hydrolic tappets.
Just check around make sure all is ok.

Haynes is quite usfull if u aint done it b4 and make sure sum1 is with who knows what there doing if u dont other wise u can get in big problems especially with the timming and stuff.

[Dicko]

get it checked out b4 u plan to do the swop. garages can put an additive into ur coolant that changes colour if the gasket is on its way

[Euan]

when it comes to the timing, do you just turn the wheel until the marks are lined up or is there a bit more to it than that?

[rgv_stu]

if your not really using the car for longer journeys then this is why u got mayonaisse build up

you need to give the car a good run to clear out the moisture

[mikeoxford]

i gotta be changing my head next weekend methinks.

is there anything other than everything the haynes says???

obviously, new bolts, new gasket, blue gasket seal the crankshaft assembly.

[brian]

if ya have the head off change the water pump. ya can never be too safe

[ade]

you may need to get head skimmed when changing gasket - usually recommended.

Also before changing head gasket, try just draining oil, flushing out and putting fresh in, then run it for a bit. Oil may just be contaminated.

If the gasket goes it usually goes over a period of time and you notice a difference gradually - unless you drive like a loony!

If anfter a couple of weeks the sludge has returned then do it.

Check your air filter/box area too - Sometimes you get lots of sludge up there too - mechanic m8 of mine told me that change in weather can cause build up in condensation which causes some sludge...

Ade

[Euan]

whats involved in skimming the head??

[mikeoxford]

when u take head bolts out do u go in a circle around the outisde or summat?

i found a pic on the net somehwre but then promptly lost it

[Chris LR]

If the gasket goes it usually goes over a period of time and you notice a difference gradually - unless you drive like a loony!



That'll be twice mine has gone big style then!

My advice is to buy genuine GM parts!! Don't do what I did, It won't last long!

[nova dosed]

Right first thing is to make sure the pulley (cam) is TDC (top dead centre)
thats a must or ur timin will be out when u put the belt back on.

Drain oil and rad water take off all water hoses

Take off belt and pulley

Distributer cap etc. mark up leads or u wont know what goes where

Undo exhaust manifold pins

undo head bolt these are supposed to be undun from centre going outward clockwise but undo the abit at a time.

Take off alternator and vacum pipe to brakes any other wires or pipes attatched to carb

thats it i think for taking off the head right down to the pistons i think

if u want to u can change the inlet manifold gasket now alot easier and in alot less time.