recent headgasket job blowing hoses

The jap spec 97 300tdi has finally got back to roadworthy status and been for MOT,only failing on a little sill/pillar weld. The engine seems to run lovely since the cylinder head was replaced properly,oil flushed and radiator and cooling system clean without and within.

However,the first time I got it up to temp the top rad hose leaked.Fair enough,it had been on when the head went and filled the cylinders with coolant so it wasnt a surprise. Then I ran it on the road and the heater matrix went.Fine,as above and it had been sitting for nearly a year so I could understand that. Then I took it for MOT,the matrix bypassed by linking the heater hoses with metal pipe.On the way home I got a coolant smell and a puff of steam from under the bonnet as I pulled into the drive. The heater hose that is jubilee clipped to the head had blown apart at the join. Fair enough,it was an old hose,had suffered a lot and was in poor shape so on its own, I wouldnt be worried.
At no time did the gauge show any overheat and the header still had some coolant as did the rad and engine.

So,is this just the coolant finding the weakest points in this system , taking into account the previous overheat and gasket failure ,plus the standing unused for nearly a year ?

Or is it symptoms of a more serious problem ? There is no oil/water mix,the header cap doesnt blow out any coolant.....everything LOOKS fine.....

Hoses hard when engine is hot?
If so pressurising probably head gasket, or the head is cracked.
Try some k seal as a test/bodge.


Lynall

yes, seems like it is building pressure in the cooling system, was the head new ? remanufactured, or just skimmed flat before fitting to the engine ?

Thanks for the replies,much appreciated. The head was a new one,made in India as they are these days but bought a few years back and sat on shelf. The problem seems to have been normal pressurisation finding weak spots in the system.Took the thing on a 400 mile round trip with a caravan and it blew nothing else....so far ! Still has the heater disconnected and hoses joined until I find an A/C type replacement,the money and not least of all the energy to do the job.