Possible engine change inbound

Hi there, new to the forum. I have a 1998 300tdi diso that overheats. I have changed the head gasket and that did not solve the problem. I know I should have had the head pressure tested and skimmed whilst it was off but was very short of time and very impatient! I checked it for distortion with an engineers rule and feeler guages and all seemed true. At the next opportunity I will have the head off, again, and send it for testing. I am preparing myself for the chance that the head might be ok and I may have to change the engine, I have been very naughty recently and am due to be punished and I feel that an engine change will be due!! Apart from a lifting device are there any specialist tools or pieces of equipment that I will need, i have most "normal" tools. Also will I need any replacement seals, specialist washers etc. Trying to get an idea of how much it will cost and how long it will take and if it is worth tackling myself or sending to a garage or worse still to the big disco heaven. Any help and advise will be greatly appreciated.

I assume that you have checked the thermostat and that the radiator isn't blocked or rusting away

Andy, had the thermostat drilled out to see if it was blocked, then fitted a new one and had the rad flushed, still no joy, at the same time i had the engine pressure tested ie with the adaptor that fits on the coolant resevoir and the garage said it pointed to a dodgy gasket. Strangely I also had a test done to see if there were any engine gasses in the water system and that came back negative? but anyway went ahead with the head gasket change and no joy.

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/over-heating-problem-73120.html

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/radiator-suitablility-differences-77532.html

I had a overheating problem on my discovery, AA man checked the head over and confirmed the head gasket was ok and the coolant system pressure tested up ok. Turns out the radiator core was completely blocked with mud and all the fins were damaged, and the water pump wasn't in brillant condition.

Both easy to change, i'd check these before pulling your engine out!!!

Thanks

Matt

i skim alot of heads for local garages, and 9 times out of ten they go around the valve areas so by checking with feeler guage and an engineers rule you wouldnt see this. i would get it skimmed if i was you. its probably not sealing on the new gasket. but id also check that the water system is ok i.e no blockages, water pump is functional etc.

sekurugeorge said:

..i had the engine pressure tested ie with the adaptor that fits on the coolant resevoir and the garage said it pointed to a dodgy gasket...

Click to expand...

Am I missing something here? Doesn't that mean you had coolant system pressure tested? How did the garage know it was a dodgy head gasket? Could it have been a leak from the coolant system somewhere else?

Do you get any other symptoms other than overheating?

Thank you for all the help and advise thus far.
Richard you are correct in thinking that i had the coolant system pressure tested and not the engine as i wrongly stated. The mechanic at the garage assured me that he had cut his teeth on discos and he had seen this many a time before and that it pointed to a gasket. He then promptly offered to change it for me in his own time for £550!! After testing the pressure at the garage the engine was started and came up to normal operating temperature and water was seen coming from the pump. i believe it has a pressure relief set up and thus pressure in the cooling system was too high. As far other symptoms there is not the mayonaisse effect in the oil system or indications of oil in the water system, no excessive smoke on harsh acceleration, all i can say is that when the temperature rises to the red, i stopped and the water hoses were rock solid so I opened the cap to the water resevoir to release some of the pressure and it takes a good five minutes for all the bubbling/gurgling to cease.

Dan I shall deffo go for the easy option first ie skimming, just bracing myself for the worst!!

Matt I will also check all of the things you mentioned myself as the garage might have missed something.

Once again thank you for the help gents,

George