Head Gasket Failure

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 10:17 am

What else other than the gasket should the dealer be changing/fixing at the same time the head is off?

Timing belt? Cam followers?

Engine has done 33700 miles.

It will be covered under warranty, was just wondering what else I could reasonably ask to be done at the same time and get the warranty company to pay for it.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 10:57 am

You could always get piper cams and pulleys. Of course you would have to pay for that but .

Silver lining and all that.

G

Baggy · Post by **Baggy** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 5:58 pm

Get them to fit a PRRT See Shugs cool as f**K thread.

If you don't, you should get a new thermostat anyway. They cost buttons.

Tensioner?

gordon · Post by **gordon** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 12:00 pm

I'm sure i've seen a thermostat listed somewhere that opens at a cooler temp and in theory should smooth out the hot/cold temp osscilations. It was only a few quid too, worth a pop i'd imagine if you dont wanna shell out for a remote kit or an oil cooler.

p.s... another thing to watch on track is oil temps. I know the Elise doesn't have a guage, but using the correct weight/grade of oil is absolutely essential as oil plays a major part in engine cooling and if the wrong grade is used it will breakdown and never regain its original properties. On track in warmish weather i always try to limit myself to 20 mins(ish) sessions and dont turn the car off for 5-10 min after a session in the pits. This lets the engine stabilise its temps better. And i change the oil and filter after every 3-4 track days or 2000 miles of hard use. For the sake of £40ish (retail) for quality oil and a filter,i think its worth it.

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:02 pm

Spoke to MMC today about the car. I must say that thay all seem to be on the same wavelength, get the best possible spec bits for the repair....

David from MMC has been on to the Lotus Motorsport people to find out about head gaskets, thinking there was a special motorsport gasket. Aparently the factory use the latest standard gasket with metal dowel pins. So thats what is being fitted. The lower temp thermostat has been ordered as has a new timing belt.

One downside is the warranty company wont pay for a new timing belt or thermostat. But it is small change to get the parts as the labour is covered under the head change.

gordon · Post by **gordon** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:56 am

Good result then

. Get it back on track on the 22nd!!!

(I'm sure i met you at the Murrays day, we were gabbing about tyres. I think you were on Maxsports??)

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:13 pm

gordon wrote:Good result then . Get it back on track on the 22nd!!!

(I'm sure i met you at the Murrays day, we were gabbing about tyres. I think you were on Maxsports??)

Thats right, now on Toyo's as per your recomendation. Also SteveB has just posted out my 100/110 kit..

gordon · Post by **gordon** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 10:58 pm

Whatcha waiting for then. Get it fitted and book onto KH for the 22nd.

I'm on Advan Neovas now. They seem good, still to try them on track tho.

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:58 pm

gordon wrote:Whatcha waiting for then. Get it fitted and book onto KH for the 22nd.

I'm on Advan Neovas now. They seem good, still to try them on track tho.

Wont be back home for two weeks so will miss it. bummer having to work for a living.