Hi All

So after all my cooling issues a few months back and thinking i finally had them sorted i ended up with steam puffing out the vents on my bonnet the other morning on the way to work. I cut the power and pulled to a very sad stop. Cars been recovered and is now in the garage and there seems to be a leak in the cooling system so suspected head gasket failure. Going to have a sniff test done to confirm.

Question now is what parts should i replace while the head gasket is being replaced. Is it worth replacing the water pump and timing chain? cars at around 72k. Now being boosted is it worth upgrading the head bolts? Any advise would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Steve

 

Are you doing the work yourself? You need to find the cause before randomly replacing things.

I personally would re-use the head bolts if they've not been off before. Use OEM gaskets. Whilst the head is off check that it is flat along with the deck of the block, and strip and rebuild the head with new valve stem seals and check your valve retainers. If its an older car then you may want to upgrade to AP2 retainers on the inlets, but at least check yours for cracks. Have the valve seats cleaned and lapped in.

Chain, I wouldn't bother changing at that mileage, but again check its condition.

I've a spare 2007 year head if yours is cracked, but it would need rebuilding like I've suggested above. All retainers are fine though.

 

No I've sent the car to the garage. There going to do the inspection and all the work that's required. I've not got the time to do it to be honest. What age is the chain meant to be replaced? since its apart id prefer to replace most items that will have to be done at a later time.

 

I am not that mechanically inclined, but if it was head gasket why would the steam be coming out of the engine bay? could it not just be a hose or something?

 

Shit luck mate

ime you can get exhaust gas leaking into the coolant system, that over pressuries and causes a hose to split - that would explain the steam

I'd get the head checked and potentially skimmed by a specialist

overheating is the likely cause isnt it?

i'd do the water pump. I'd probably get the chain inspected..

 

Ahhh sorry guys yea the steam was due to over heating. The expansion bottle cap cracked and steam was pouring out of there. The cap was cracked prior and I had glued it back together so probably not as strong as it should have been. Been on my list of parts to replace. There was also fluid leaking out of the small hose that runs to the throttle body so that could have also cracked. I guess the sniffer test will tell if the head gasket has failed.

 

It's worth considering changing the chain and also he sprocket which does get worn.

 

if it was just the expansion tank cap leaking. that would explain the steam. It does not mean your car over heated...

 

Yep, I had an issue with expansion tank overspill and it was just a duff rad cap.

 

I wouldn't assume head gasket that's for sure. Problem now is the garage going to say it's head gasket failure now because it gives them more work?

​​​​​​I would be tempted to change those coolant lines and the expansion bottle. Have you got OEM pressure rated cap on the radiator? Or higher rated?