head gasket fail symptoms please 2.5 DSE

[Mukiwa]

Hi all,

Symptoms:

• difficult starting - it drained the battery
• horrible clattering - sounds like Ducati dry clutch
• no power low down but pulled once revs climbed
• overheated
• I took the coolant reservoir cap off and had a geyser of coolant
• refilled the coolant and it keeps disappearing

So - is this symptomatic of HG fail?
Is it worth repairing the engine or replacing it?

Local garage told me that they suspect HG fail and told me low compression - but don't want to do any surgery that will waste my money and their time - [how rare, an honest garage!]

Does anyone know / recommend an honest garage near Winsford who is trustworthy enough to do the exploratory surgery or replacement?
I have heard both good and bad things about Land Ranger (one scary story from 3rd time returning with the same fault customer in the waiting room).
thanks all

 

[JohnnyCrash]

difficult starting - it drained the battery Poss lack of compression
horrible clattering - sounds like Ducati dry clutch see above
no power low down but pulled once revs climbed and again
overheated exhaust gas leaking into cooling
I took the coolant reservoir cap off and had a geyser of coolant that pesky exhaust gas again
refilled the coolant and it keeps disappearing check to see what oil looks like, also what comes out of exhaust

 

[Mukiwa]

Hi JohnnyCrash,

P38 is at a garage awaiting me moving it so I can't check the oil or exhaust. But I'm looking for recon engines (or ones from Omegas/BMW) as I reckon that repair will cost more than the car's worth. Which is a shame as I actually want to keep it.
Thanks for the quick reply matey

 

[biketeacherdave]

pretty standard hg failure symptoms iv got the4.6 v8 with no usual symptoms but my engine oil has fluro dye in it. i added the dye to the coolant

 

[SpanishTony]

Try giving Simon at Affordable Autos in Congleton a call. Decent independent that specialises in older Land Rovers

 

[Mukiwa]

Thanks Tony. Nice chat with Simon on Affordable Autos. So I'm researching ...

 

[wammers]

pretty standard hg failure symptoms iv got the4.6 v8 with no usual symptoms but my engine oil has fluro dye in it. i added the dye to the coolant

That would indicate coolant pressure getting into a low pressure oil return. Head gasket time.

 

[biketeacherdave]

That would indicate coolant pressure getting into a low pressure oil return. Head gasket time.

yep my new head gasket kit arrived today just trying to arrange a couple of days off to do it pics to follow, new i shoulda done them when i did me valley gasket just a few more bolts and presto