Happy new year - HGF

[Stumpy Nugget]

Looks like 2011 has started with a bump for me... My expansion tank is full of what I believe is refferred to as mayo... I sort of knew this was on the cards to be honest as the temp fluctuations that kicked off a while ago all pointed to a ticking HGF timebomb.... Thats what I get for kicking the cars nuts up the A82 last october.. lol.

So I guess the question is. I have AA cover and I guess I need to call out a Patrol to get this verified, but does anyone know a place where I could get my Head gasket sorted properly. I dont have weeks to wait for my car to be repaired hence I need a fairly quick turnaround. I am located around Glasgow so if anyone knows of a place around here that would do it that would be great.

PS: I guess the AA wont payout for parts if I do the work myself...?

Cheers Guys.

[tut]

If you have home cover and assuming your car is at home, you can call them to inspect your car there. If not you will have needed to break down a couple of miles from home.

You can not get a payment for doing it yourself, it has to be done by a VAT registered garage. They will also probably ask you for proof of a service in the past 12 months or whatever your cars schedule is. P&L normally comes in within the £500 if it is done by a garage with lowish hourly rates, ie <£40/hr.

tut

[Stu160]

Make sure and get the head skimmed properly, I will be able to tell you if the head has gone soft just by looking at it. Also make sure they fit the new gasket, depending on how head is you may or may not need the shim.

Any probs, send me a PM.

Best of luck

Stu

[Stumpy Nugget]

Thought I would stick a couple of pics up. I plan to call the AA tomorrow to see what they have to say about it all...

[j2 lot]

There's no mistaking that

[Mikie711]

Before skimming the head you can have the fire ring peened to anneal the surface. AFAIK Dave Andrews is the only person that will hardness test your head and peen it prior to skimming but that would mean sending it down to him. Can help prevent re-occurrence. You also need to double check your liner stand proud. Should be around 4 thou and all about the same, if not then you will need to get the block decked or if they are to high lap in the liners with grinding paste. Usually they have sunk but anythings possible with a K series.

[roadboy]

AFAIK Dave Andrews is the only person that will hardness test your head and peen it prior to skimming but that would mean sending it down to him.

Dave's not the only person who does that Mike.

Dan

[robin]

This is a coolant->oil breach, so in all probability just an elastomer failure. You may be able to simply clean up and fit the MLS gasket instead. In theory you should also fit the new oil rail, but not convinced that's worthwhile. New bolts make sense if engine has reasonable mileage on it. Don't be tempted to buy uprated bolts though - you want the normal stretch bolts.

If there are no signs of elastomer failure when you remove the head you may have a coolant->oil breach inside the head itself; unlikely unless somebody has had a go at porting the head in the past, IMHO.

Cheers,
Robin

[Stu160]

No need for a hardness test, if the fire ring has pushed its self into the head , then its went soft, simple. It will show more on the exh side. trust me , I skim 6 or more a week

Stu

[Stumpy Nugget]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions on where to take the car. I am now thinking cams and head work are on the cards since the head is coming off anyway...

Tried to call the AA to make sure that I am good to go for parking it up at the side of the road and getting the car shipped out somewhere. But I am giving up trying to get through to the call centre. I just keep getting - we are very busy please try again later... Gald I am not sitting somewhere waiting on a patrol...

[puffin]

I'd definitely recommend you get it down to the very modest Dan at SPS! When mine went 20k miles ago he looked after it very well and the bill was a big relief compared to some quotes I'd had

[Stumpy Nugget]

I'd definitely recommend you get it down to the very modest Dan at SPS! When mine went 20k miles ago he looked after it very well and the bill was a big relief compared to some quotes I'd had

Car loaded tonight and on its way thanks to the AA... My garage now looks so empty.

[Stumpy Nugget]

Dan, Nice to meet you today. Thanks again for all the work you put in on my car.... Now need some good weather up here to get out and about again.

PS: I had forgotten how bloody loud the Elise is whilst driving on the motorway coming back up the road to Glasgow...