Cracked Head??

My head gasket has gone (most likely caused by a radiator freeze during the last cold snap)

and before anyone asks I'd just had it in the garage for a fluids change so the mix in the rad theoreticaly good, just unlucky not moving it for a couple of days in the cold)

Anyway the garage reckon there is a very good chance the head is cracked (based on the noise).

So at £500 to do the gasket, fluids etc, then add the head on at god only knows can I really justify it?

its 300tdi 1997 Disco 1 which had bout £800 of welding through its last MOT 6 monthes ago and has an obviously aged body, needs a number of oil seals replacing (stub axel etc.) and has ~156k on the clock. It is however my main set of wheels (not just an off road toy)

Most import question is - is it a DIYable job to do the head and gasket change (obviously have to get the head tested by a pro). I'm no mechanic (more of a spark) but my Brother in Law has just done a petrol / diesal (300tdi) swap in a Series so has had a bit of practice!

To be fair his sugestion was pick up a 300 engine on ebay (seem to go for £450 - £500 depending on collection / delivery) and swap the whole bleeding thing and strip the old one for spares for us to share.

Next question is - having had the 300tdi, what is the opionion about late 300tdi vs early Td5 if it comes down to a new motor.

PS - anyone know what an R reg disco is worth as a non-runner?

Will give ya £400 for it.

its quite a simple job that doesnt require the timing been touched,head gasket £10 ,what symptons do you have cracked head usually goes with coolant loss

New heads for the 300 Tdi can be picked up for about 250-300 notes, and 500 notes for the garage to replace it sounds bloody steep to me.

Ben

chil6ep said:

Most import question is - is it a DIYable job to do the head and gasket change (obviously have to get the head tested by a pro). I'm no mechanic (more of a spark) but my Brother in Law has just done a petrol / diesal (200tdi) swap in a Series so has had a bit of practice!

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Corrected for accuracy

Shouldn't be a big job to change the head - just don't get a britpart gasket - a genuine one is only £40 from Rimmer Bros - probably cheaper with a bit of shopping around.

I guess the downside of swapping the engine is the head could go on that within a year.

Is it worth taking the current head off and getting it properly inspected to see if it is cracked or just the gasket?

wack in an ols 200tdi then strip down 300tdi at leisure..

Beast o Bodmin said:

wack in an ols 200tdi then strip down 300tdi at leisure..

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Where's the sense in that? If you have to go and buy an engine to stick in might as well stick in the same as before...

jamesmartin said:

its quite a simple job that doesnt require the timing been touched,head gasket £10 ,what symptons do you have cracked head usually goes with coolant loss

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Symptom for a cracked head is the opinion of the guy at the garage who has listened to a few.

Beast o Bodmin said:

wack in an ols 200tdi then strip down 300tdi at leisure..

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Does sound like an idea that would need more explanation, most people I know would propose much more the oposite?

Bump said:

Where's the sense in that? If you have to go and buy an engine to stick in might as well stick in the same as before...

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Bump - James is using my Landyzone account to say "Hello!"

Bump said:

Where's the sense in that? If you have to go and buy an engine to stick in might as well stick in the same as before...

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Indeed we are going to pay the garage to check out the head properly and take it from there (I know, it should be a DIY to strip it down but I'm really struggling for time to spare at the moment).

chil6ep said:

Bump - James is using my Landyzone account to say "Hello!"

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Hello James See you next weekend

I'm free this weekend and next weekend (obviously not Sunday) so if you can get anything sorted parts wise will happily come up and do an engine or head swap. Equally any parts you want from Paddocks can be collected - they can be a bit slow on postage sometimes.

Despite being banned from playing with Landies for a few weeks the boss has permitted my release to help you

So, I have decided that we get it fixed, however, anyone know any particular good (IE CHEAP) places to get a new head. Looking for new (and as they mostly seem the same price probably go for the "improved cooling" new design.seams about £350inc VAT but + delivery