Second HG Failure in as many months

Hi All,

My good luck since buying the old girl (2002 Vogue SE 4.6 on LPG) certainly seems to have run out!

Last month i had a HG split on the left bank. £600 later & all sorted. New plugs, leads etc.
Then, earlier this week i started to get a clattering sound coming in at around 2000 rpm (only in drive - ok revving engine stationary). I thought it was a heatshield but couldnt find anything loose under the car. So off to my indie. On the way there it started to run lumpy as well as the clattering sound.
So took a look, checked the plugs, leads - OK. Compression test shows 2 cylinders on right bank down. Looks like another HG gone!
oooohhhhh joy

That is ****. Surely it can't have gone so soon after replacing the other one. Can it?

MrGorsky said:

That is ****. Surely it can't have gone so soon after replacing the other one. Can it?

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Head not flat
crap gasket used
head not torqued down correctly
something in the bottom of male threads for head bolts

Oh yes it can

If they only changed left bank and left the right as it was, then it isn't unusual to get failures so quickly.

Both head gaskets should be changed at same time.

Both head gaskets should be changed at same time.

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Can't diasagree with that, the gaskets will be about the same age, and wear and detioration.. once most of the anciallary ( and lpg) stuff is off, might as well get the other side done too..

your garage should have advised you to do both at the same time

Hi
I only had the left bank done last time when that blew (i assumed they would both have been done but aparently not). Should i be concerned that they've both gone within 2000 miles or is it just down to age?
I'm pretty ****ed that they didn't advise to get them both done considering the work to strip down again.
Just hope the clattering sound is sorted when the heads been sorted, never heard of this sort of noise coming from a blown HG though?

martynv8 said:

Hi
I only had the left bank done last time when that blew (i assumed they would both have been done but aparently not). Should i be concerned that they've both gone within 2000 miles or is it just down to age?
I'm pretty ****ed that they didn't advise to get them both done considering the work to strip down again.
Just hope the clattering sound is sorted when the heads been sorted, never heard of this sort of noise coming from a blown HG though?

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as already mentioned any head gasket changed should be carried out on both banks with any vee engine , ive been a mechanic albeit on hgv`s for 40 odd years and would never do just 1 bank .

rick.

martynv8 said:

Hi
I only had the left bank done last time when that blew (i assumed they would both have been done but aparently not). Should i be concerned that they've both gone within 2000 miles or is it just down to age?
I'm pretty ****ed that they didn't advise to get them both done considering the work to strip down again.
Just hope the clattering sound is sorted when the heads been sorted, never heard of this sort of noise coming from a blown HG though?

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Its not surprising the other gasket has blown; it would have been subjected to system overpressurising when the other one failed.

martynv8 said:

Hi
I only had the left bank done last time when that blew (i assumed they would both have been done but aparently not). Should i be concerned that they've both gone within 2000 miles or is it just down to age?
I'm pretty ****ed that they didn't advise to get them both done considering the work to strip down again.
Just hope the clattering sound is sorted when the heads been sorted, never heard of this sort of noise coming from a blown HG though?

Click to expand...

If you have the time do the replacement yourself and save yourself £500 and then when it happens again you will be ready its not too difficult

I'd love to give it a go but not having a garage in this weather it seems a bit daunting.
Strange thing is i've never overheated the engine & no loss of coolant / pressurising etc. Just concerned this is going to be an ongoing thing. Do i get rid & go for an L322, at least the engines are half decent!

martynv8 said:

I'd love to give it a go but not having a garage in this weather it seems a bit daunting.
Strange thing is i've never overheated the engine & no loss of coolant / pressurising etc. Just concerned this is going to be an ongoing thing. Do i get rid & go for an L322, at least the engines are half decent!

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You havent but maybe the previous owner did as for the engines they are good if looked after very forgiving my last one did 150k and then only expired because the flex plate shattered and went inside did a bit of damage so replaced it with the new one bought as stock clearance from landrover dealer for 1500 quid
I have just stripped mine down as said on the drive and mine has lpg to boot to get the heads off isnt too difficult and once you rebuild it you feel brilliant

I guess i could be paying for previous owners neglect (it's had 3 oil changes in the last 8 months in my ownership). What were the symptoms of your flex plate shattering? I'm still concerned i have an underlying problem with the clattering sound under load.

If you do decide to DIY replace all the head bolts your old would have stretched when I did my recently I changed water pump and all the hoses too

scotchgit said:

If you do decide to DIY replace all the head bolts your old would have stretched when I did my recently I changed water pump and all the hoses too

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Good point. Stretch head bolts should be replaced whenever new head gasket is fitted (whenever heads are removed). I did my head gaskets on the street outside the house - very straightforward job; just take your time (take photos as you go). RAVE manual essential. Worst part of the job is removing seized bolts and the horrible heat shields. You won't know whats making the 'rattling' noise until you strip the engine - could be anything.

Knowing my luck the rattling could be a buggered cat due to the misfire. It only does it in drive under load though?
Had new stretch bolts when i had the right hand bank HG done so will be replaced on the left bank when done. Should i change the water pump at the same time then?

Yeah, not a good move doing only one side. An idiot friend of my also just did one side on his disco and sure enough within the month his other side was done for as well. I think its more down to grubby mechanics looking to make a killing, but that's also no excuse for the customer to be ill informed.

Specially in this day and age, where all this electrickery in cars makes easy killing for dubious mechanics with their verbal gymnastics to reel in a uninformed fella.

"You gotta change your TDC, ABS, ECS, transducer circuit sensor other wise you motor has had it mate"

"Blimey, is that so"

"Unfortunately that is the case mate, but tell you what, you look like a nice geezer and I feel sorry for you and I just happen to have a used one lying about, new one costs around 2000 quid, I'll fit my one in for just 800"

" deal ! "

Customer walks away thinking what a nice chap and it must be his lucky day that he saved 1200 quid.

Might as well, you've done all of the hardwork to get the heads off, change what you can at the same time.

simply both head gaskets should have been done.

they should have checked liners have not gone
(the liner and block face should feel as one running fingernail over it)

Ideally the block would be tested to see if leaky with compressed air- but excessive cost if not rebuilding.

Clanking can be slipped liner.

Have a look at the crock of ****e thread sticky in general section and link in my sig

Call Citizen's Advice after having a read

martynv8 said:

Knowing my luck the rattling could be a buggered cat due to the misfire. It only does it in drive under load though?
Had new stretch bolts when i had the right hand bank HG done so will be replaced on the left bank when done. Should i change the water pump at the same time then?

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Re waterpump. Easy to unbolt/check. Make sure the bearing doesn't have excessive play. Check the impeller on the inside; some have plastic impellers, in which case I'd would recommend changing for a better quality pump with metal impellers (not Britpart). Island 4x4 sell em.