New Head :(

Despite a careful head gasket replacement which I posted about previously, I’m still getting significant water loss / steam on my 300tdi, and conclude that the head is most probably cracked. I previously had it pressure tested with a gauge you fit into the expansion tank with the engine running etc, but concluded that as the gasket had definitely gone that this test would not differentiate between cracks in the head and the shot gasket. So did not have the head retested prior to replacing the gasket.

When pressure testing was previously mentioned, is this what was likely to be meant, or is there another method of testing that would show up internal cracks and problems?

My local landy breaker can sell me a 2nd hand head (£100), is there any way that I can ascertain if this is a good un, particularly as I imagine it will be from a broken vehicle that’s not running. He’s a reasonable guy so would probably swap if it turns out to be duff, but I’d rather not go through the hassle of skimming, lapping and fitting for a wrong ‘un.

Ideas welcomed, along with my assumption that the head’s cracked, could it be anything else, block etc?

Thanks, Russ

whoever is gonna reskim your used head should be able to pressure test the suspect head, or most garages will know someone

if it s an unknown head get it pressure tested at least. (google cylinder head pressure test, images. will give you an idea of whats involved)
if its a complete head from a runner, should be no lapping required, clean up and install. if you want to rebuild completely you either need to pay someone or do a lot of manual reading and be prepared for it not to work right first time round. (ie your in the wrong trade. this is what apprenticeships were good for)
personally i would only fit a second hand unknown head head if;
a) i was at the back of beyond with no alternative and mine was completely gas cooked.
b) it came with an exceptionally good warrenty and was cheap
c) it had come off a motor i knew. very well.

can recommend bradford engine units for pressure testing and skimming, (£20 each inc)
but as you dont post a location, dont know whether its a benefit or not.
they could rebuild your head too, but dont know price for that as dont need it!

oh, and fit a decent head gasket and torque bolts according to rave.
(elring or payen gasket)

Had to replace my head recently due to an unrepairable crack and weighed up the costs of fitting a used head and decided it wasn't worth the possible aggro.


You should consider:

£100 for secondhand head
£60 for pressure test and skim (which it will need regardless!)
£? if it needs welding

and that a brand new head with valves, ready to fit is £289 inc. from Island 4x4.

Good point well made dids

Least you got come back if its dud

disco dude said:

Good point well made dids

Least you got come back if its dud

Click to expand...

Thanks. I had a knackered head as it was and especially didn't want to part with any cash for someone elses knackered one.

Good points well made guys, I didn't mention on the Isle of Wight, which is great until you need a specialist service like pressure testing! I'll ask around but am not confident, although there appear to be places in Portsmouth and Southampton.

As Dids said, I'll have to weigh up costs and hassle of buying an unknown head, having it skimmed and tested against sourcing a warrented, tested recon.

As a final thought, it's got to be the head hasn't it, nothing else would give these symptons?

A proper pressure test will hold the answer to if it is the head, obviously get your original head tested before binning it. If the head comes back as fine it could be the block. When I stripped mine the gasket was fine so I had my suspicions the pressure test wouldn't be good news.