leaking exhaust gasket

hope this isn't too silly a question. my s1 seems to be running rough and lacking in power.

the gasket has gone between the exhaust pipe and the engine, gas is bubbling out at cylinder two and a nice plume of smoke from cylinder 4.

would this be causing the rough running and lack of power.

I think you'll be melting piston number 2 shortly !!

oh dear

time for a new engine then?

Is this a proper 2 litre Series I engine?

sadly no, it had a re-con 2.25 petrol in it when I bought it about 5 years ago, in terms of mileage it hasn't done much

What's wrong with just changing the gasket between the head and the manifold?

From what you have said, that would be the cheapest and simplest solution.

I think I can do that if that is all that's that's needed, its just the melting the piston comment made me think that there was something seriously wrong

Take no notice!

Pistons generally burn out/melt on petrol engines when they have been running too lean for a long time.

I don't really understand what you meant by 'gas bubbling out'?

It is simple enough to take the manifolds off (8 studs) and there is probably no need to drop the exhaust downpipe off ... although you will have to undo the engine clamp, and swing the whole lot out of the way.

Before you replace the gasket, ensure that everything is clean and free from old gasket remnants

Smear the new gasket with a film of oil before you put it on, which will make the seal 'that bit better', if you know what I mean.

loctite black paste is better than oil

That, Drivel me old mate, is possibly why my engines always work and yours don't

Keep your engines away from sticky gunge!!:violent::violent::violent:

the black stuffs like a gasket for your gasket with extra gasket! Plus it smokes a lot while it cures

You just want to make the poor guy **** himself when he sees all the smoke!!

B'Stard!!

thanks chaps I will give it a go next week.

the gas bubbling out bit - there is some liquid round where the leaks are mostly at cylinder 2, the fumes just bubble through, its just different from the leak at cylinder 4 which is a noticeable plume of white smoke that comes out.

I have just been informed that although a recon I do have a proper series 1 2 litre engine

OK so you have an inlet manifold on one side of the head and an exhaust manifold on the other, right?

yep, the things that hold the exhaust manifold on doesn't seem that secure, here is a pic of the engine, apparently its a 2 litre military recon with waterproof plugs but an ordinary distributor