Scottish Elises

Head gasket replacement.


My S1 has just clocked 45k.

I have heard that i should get the head gasket done before the engine hits 50k miles????

does the k series engine has a reputation for this?


if this is the case how much is the potential cost to have the Head gasket done?


cheers

Tam

I may be totally wrong here - but is there any point in getting it done if it's not blown?

It's kind of like cutting off your leg incase you have to get it amputated one day.

The K series engine, in all applications has a reputation for head gasket failure.

There are many theories and supposed remedies for it, but changing a gasket that hasn't blown is not one I've heard of.

Your timing belt is advised to be changed every 4 years, now irrespective of mileage (would have been arond 50-60k before) maybe your source is getting mixed up...

As for a price to fix HGF, that will depend on how much damage has been done and what needs changed, but the figure I've seen is usually between £500 and £750. But I'm sure there could be local help that could get it done with a bit of DiY for less.

IMHO pointless to replace until blown. It may never blow. You may write the car off the day before the head gasket would have blown. Leave it until it breaks ...

If you buy proper OE gasket set and timing belt/tensioner kit and a new thermostat and coolant and oil it's about 200 quids worth of parts (retail price - trade price probably half that); more like 100 if you buy pattern parts.

It's 6 hours of proper workshop labour assuming no actual damage done (i.e. no head skim) - more like twice that if you DIY, have a natter and 20 cups of coffee on the way

Cheers,
Robin

Don't even think about it

if it is fine and has not been disturbed then don't disturb it.

Ks have a terrible reputation for eating head gaskets but if they have been set up properly then it will be fine

hopefully

thanks guys, i can jst relax and if it happens its happens i think.

the timing belt has been done so fingers crossed...

cheers again

Tam

Would have thought it was only really likely if the engine was under heavy stresses regularly?

agree with the above. dont do anything other than the TLC methods you normally do...
Dont hammer it until its fully warmed up - i keep mine below 3k revs until the temp is at 83 deg. Some may disagree with this one!
Regularly check header tank, hoses etc - although that drives you completely mad with the fluctuations (huge pipework circuit from header tank through to front of car) - I've been monitoring mine really closely for the past month or so too. discoloured 'foamy' coolant is a sign i think. Alongside 'mayonaise' on oil filler cap and dipstick. irregular readings on the temp guage etc
Regular servicing should also help.

I also have the HGF paranoia - mine is at 53k miles, but have just decided to forget about it and hope that if it does happen, i can recognise it and get it off the road and fixed before it gets really nasty!

HTH
R

mine seems to have no sludgy stuff so i think its totally fine.

But the Paranioa of anything going pop aint good.

ive put it in the back of my mind for now.

TY

Tam

I've had a few K-series cars,

Freelander,
R200 BRM
MGZR
Now the Elise

and have been a member on MG-Rover.org for about 6yrs.... In my experience, and considering the amount of people on that forum with a K-series..... it's an issue that has been over exagerated on the K. Yes.. it can happen, and there are theories as to why and there are theories about when it was fixed.... but it can happen on any engine. I don't actually know of anyone 1st hand who had HGF on a K-series but you always hear when someone does.

I know of a mates VW Golf that suffered HGF, and so did my mums Fiat. No point worrying until it happens if you ask me.

Mine is at 40k and the HG is going strong although I have done a couple of them on other cars. Weekend for the first one. Saturday for the second. There are SE-ers who are a lot handier with the spanners than me and they could probably do an HG against the clock in 4 hours even with the usual tea consumption etc.

No need to worry about it – just stop if you see clouds of steam (that’s when you should worry).

The chances of driving your Liz backwards through a hedge while distracted by the thought of HGF are probably higher than those of it happening.

shooomer wrote:I've had 3 HGF failures

Stay away from my car then ... you're obviously jinxed!!

shooomer wrote:I've had 3 HGF failures

Andy G wrote:Would have thought it was only really likely if the engine was under heavy stresses regularly?

r055 wrote:

shooomer wrote:I've had 3 HGF failures

Andy G wrote:Would have thought it was only really likely if the engine was under heavy stresses regularly?

ahhh.... 2+2 =

shooomer wrote:I've had 3 HGF failures

what's that as a %age Paul?