New owner - headgasket advice needed!

[James4130]

Hello,

I’m new to mk1 ownership but not to mr2’s having owned a mk2 turbo a couple of years ago which I sold to buy a motorbike. I’ve missed having something fun to drive around in and have always wanted to own a mk1 so when I spotted what I thought looked a half decent example advertised fairly close to me ended up buying it. I’ve spent the past few weeks doing a bit of tidying on the bodywork whilst I still had my current car to use (an old Mondeo), however after spending the past weekend looking over it and doing a few searches on here I’m now pretty certain the headgasket is on its way out so could do with a bit of advice.

1. The car has done 154k miles, is it worth replacing the headgasket or would it make more sense to look for a lower mileage engine?

2. If it is worth doing the headgasket how difficult is it? I’m a mechanical novice and have never attempted anything like this before but am willing to have a go as I don’t really have any other choice if I want to keep the car!

3. If it makes more sense to change the engine how difficult is it to do and are any special tools needed?

4. How much could I get a 4age engine for and does anyone know where i can get one?

I'm annoyed with myself for buying a car with a knackered headgasket and not spotting it, but apart from that the rest of the car is in pretty good condition so I think its worth sorting the engine. The sills have been replaced last year, the rear arches aren’t too bad and the car is generally fairly rust free. I’ve not actually driven it yet other than a short test drive but my dad drove it home and says it drives nicely and the gearbox seems good.

The MOT on my current car runs out today, I can use my dads car for a short time but really need to get this sorted pretty quick so any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
James

[MartG]

Apart from the HG, is the engine showing any other signs of tiredness e.g. low oil pressure, smokey exhaust etc. ?

If not then swapping the engine could just be replacing a known problem with a load of unknown ones.

[James4130]

Apart from the HG, is the engine showing any other signs of tiredness e.g. low oil pressure, smokey exhaust etc. ?

If not then swapping the engine could just be replacing a known problem with a load of unknown ones.

Apart from a 50 mile drive home the car hasn't been driven other than being moved into and out of the garage. I think the oil pressure is ok, there is white smoke from the exhaust when first started but this clears. When i followed the car on the trip home there was no smoke from the exhaust. The engine sounds good but i haven't really heard another one running close up so i've nothing to compare with.

[crazylegs]

What makes you think the HG has gone ? A bit of white smoke from the exhaust is probably condensation in the back box. You say this has cleared.

[coverco]

I would ask the same question as Kev, what makes you suspect the head gasket is gone?

I use mine as a fun car and every time I start it (especially in the winter) I get loads of white smoke which clears after a while. Is there water in the oil or any other symptoms of HG failure?

I would check the water and oil, get it on the road and drive it and see what happens.

As to changing the engine, there are no special tools required, just a good set of spanners, sockets and screwdrivers

[anthonyg]

As above, our new beemer smokes on start up in winter, just condensation......

[James4130]

I'm pretty sure the coolant system is being pressurised. Everytime the car is started even for a short while and stopped i quickly get a small pool of coolant under the car leaking from the radiator, when the engine is off the rad doesn't even drip.

Also when the car is cold i tried taking the pressure cap off, the coolant was fully topped up and as soon as the engine was started it started overflowing, only a bit at first but whenever i revved the car it would push more coolant out the higher i revved it (obviously i didn't rev it too hard!).

Is this a sign of a HG on its way out or am i being paranoid? I still have my current car to use at the moment so would rather sort it whilst i've got the use of another car.

[terry0769]

im no expert but these system are presurised so the syptoms you describe are normal apart from coolant leak on rad sound like you could use a new one

my car does all you have stated apart from leak at rad and drive fine temp gauge bang in the middle all the time

so in short m8 all looks good ( an rads are easily replaced )





p.s im sure someone will be along soon who will correct me if im wrong

[James4130]

I realise pressure will build as the coolant heats up, but the above happens when the car is totally cold and not running long enough to heat up.

[coverco]

The Mk1 has a presurised system, it sounds like your radiator needs replacing and I would check your thermostat. If you remove the pressure cap water will come out of it as it is being pumped by the water pump. If the thermostat is stuck closed this would cause back pressure as well. I would sort out your radiator first then replace your thermostat, even if the HG is gone you will need a new radiator and the thermostat is an easy and cheap replacement part.

If you do replace these parts make sure you have a read of the knowledge base on how to bleed the system