Do i have reason to be concerned??

Having read all the various posts about the frequency of HG failiures on the K series engine I wonder if I should be concerned.

My 2000 FL is coming up to 90,000 on the clock and has yet (touch wood) not had any HG problems. I am paranoid about it happenening so check regularly for any signs of water mixing with oil.

Now I am wondering as a precaution should I get the gasket changed before or if it goes?? (surely it is a hell of a lot cheaper to replace it now rather than once its gone?)

Or should I just leave it as it has been fine for this long??

thoughts....

sell it its due to go any minute

Ive got three months warranty left on it. So maybe ill start to think about it closer to the time.

Would changing the gasket reduce the chances of it blowing altogether or are there deeper lying issues that cause it to blow??

if your gonna replace it mek sure you get them to use the latest gasket i think it uses a metal shim plate something to do with expansion alloy engine cast liners,if you google it you,ll find out about why it is a common fault and how the developments of this engine as seen upgrades in the hg,theres a fair bit on the mg forum on it as well

I have very little knowledge outside of changing filters and brakes etc.

Roughly, how long should it take an experienced mechanic to replace a new head gasket on a sound engine??

depends on how they work i,ve seen em done in the rovers(same engine basically) in 2 hours but that was a rush job and the head was good and everything was waiting strecth bolts gaskets etc,most places should do it in a day unless your head needs skimming or something untoward turns up,shop around you can get it done from £250 upwards,to be honest it aint that hard to do and on the mg forum i,m pretty sure theres a stage by stage photo and write up on it

Just had a read.... I fancy having a bash myself actually when i have a free couple of days.

Seen the gasket sets on fleabay with the uprated steel gaskets. £30 + £20 for the head bolts.

just take ya time,if ya aint sure ask,someone will get back to ya keep it all clean where your workin,get yourself a timing locking tool if your worried in case anything moves,check your head for any signs of damage or pitting,check with ya warranty incase you invalidate it by doing it yourself


oh yea dont buy the cheap gaskets mek sure they are the latest and good quality

If it aint broke dont fix it.

Leave it well alone, check your coolant and oil once a week, look for mayo

Northern Irelander said:

If it aint broke dont fix it.

Leave it well alone, check your coolant and oil once a week, look for mayo

Click to expand...

The very words I was going to use! Watch the coolant so if it does go you catch it before any damage occurs.