help needed desperately please

[lolly]

Had a crap day, ended up being relayed home by AA.

They say my head gasket has gone, cost about 500 to 1000 to fix. Is this right? (1994 L reg tdi 2.5) :(

Any advice extremely gratefully received.

Thanks.

Lolly x

[driftwood]

head gasket....about 15-20 squid i think. have a look on paddoks or similar.

never done one on a disco though, maybe for beer tokens you could get it alot cheaper for somebody to do it on the side

[ChrisW]

I'd say the estimate should start at 200 but could still go up to 1000 for a worst case garage price.

Start at just replace the head gasket and have the head checked for level to worst case replace the head for new and possibly new radiator if it was cooked and oil has got into the coolant.

I've done two two cylinder head's on a 300Tdi, not too difficult a job if you're proficient with the spanners!

[TimM]

Replacing the gasket is OK (he says!), your problem will be if the head has warped (I think they have an alloy head)  

[Dave@23]

Hi what happened, did the problem come on suddenly or did you have symptons such as over heating. If it is the Head gasket the cost is variable from about £150 up depending on the condition of the head.I am having problems with my TDI but am not sure yet if its the head gasket or the radiator ,mine is headed TDI Overheating.
 Best of luck. :)  :) Dave.

[lolly]

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies.

As I was driving I smelt a burning smell, stopped in a local village for my mate to buy a drink, thought I would look under bonnet as it still smelt, steam coming from engine, noticed husband had left cap off of coolant bottle. Done over 100 miles like that! Called the AA, and the rest is history.

Have a friend who will mend for me if I can get the parts.

Lolly x

[Moneypit]

If you're at RAF Cottesmore, are there not frendly souls in the MT Garages that could have a look for you?

[PUX]

If you're at RAF Cottesmore, are there not frendly souls in the MT Garages that could have a look for you?

GOOD advice there is always some one in mt that will do it

[lolly]

Oh God, sad thing is my husband is an MT driver!

His fault it's gone wrong!

Lads at MTMS are not allowed to fix it either.

Now trying to get some quotes together although have a mate who can fix it if needs be.

Lolly x

[PUX]

Oh God, sad thing is my husband is an MT driver!

His fault it's gone wrong!

Lads at MTMS are not allowed to fix it either.

Now trying to get some quotes together although have a mate who can fix it if needs be.

Lolly x

how come there not allowed, the guys on my camp are allowed to fix em can they not come to ur house to do it :?  

[lolly]

Hi Pux

Corporal/Sergeant at MTMS say it's too big a job to do as would have to be done in their own time. So not prepared to do it.  

Lolly x

p.s. are you Military, if so where are you based?

[loyalduke]

Lolly x

p.s. are you Military, if so where are you based?

You don't have to answer that as it might be a breach of the Official Secrets Act :roll: . Bit like your guys at Cottesmore MT very helpful bunch they are :shock: .

Had mine done a few weeks ago at a local garage £150 including skimming(the bit you can't do on your drive).

[PUX]

Lolly x

p.s. are you Military, if so where are you based?

You don't have to answer that as it might be a breach of the Official Secrets Act :roll: . Bit like your guys at Cottesmore MT very helpful bunch they are :shock: .

Had mine done a few weeks ago at a local garage £150 including skimming(the bit you can't do on your drive).

its ok mate im sure if u search my name it will tell ya where i am  :lol:  :roll:  im at RAF Lyneham :D

[sparkes]

lolly,  prices sent by e-mail but i need to know if the head gasket has 3 small holes near the side.

As for Sherwood, are you close enough for me to run back and forth to collect your van?

Steve

[lolly]

Hi Steve

We are about 1 hour from Sherwood, if it's not fixed by then that would be great thanks! (we would pay your diesel though)!

Garage quote was £573.99 - almost fell over!

Stick to plan A methinks!!!

Love to Jo & the kids.

Lolly x

[sparkes]

you mean people pay for their fuel?  Be serious girl!

[lolly]

Cheers hun!

Will keep you posted

Lolly x  

[Steve ray]

Also need to think about WHY the head gasket went - blowing one is usually a symptom of something else wrong and not necessarily a fault in itself.

Sorry to be bearer of (potential) bad news, but its better to establish why it went in the first place, as once repaired, it may go again if the root cause is not fixed.

[sparkes]

Steve

It probably had a lot to do with her hubby leaving the cap off the exspantion bottle for the radiator.

Mind you, I have seen her drive and NOTHING supprises me!!

Steve


<last seen legging it>

[lolly]

Ooooohhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!!

For the first time (ever) I am lost for words!!!!

Lolly x :shock:

[ChrisW]

It probably had a lot to do with her hubby leaving the cap off the exspantion bottle for the radiator.

I always thought the theory was if it was overheating then leave the cap off the expansion tank - that way the system isn't sealed and can't build up enough pressure/heat to boil the water away?

[extreme90]

Lolly x

p.s. are you Military, if so where are you based?

You don't have to answer that as it might be a breach of the Official Secrets Act :roll: . Bit like your guys at Cottesmore MT very helpful bunch they are :shock: .

Had mine done a few weeks ago at a local garage £150 including skimming(the bit you can't do on your drive).

can if your got a miller    :lol:

[Xtremeteam]

It probably had a lot to do with her hubby leaving the cap off the exspantion bottle for the radiator.

I always thought the theory was if it was overheating then leave the cap off the expansion tank - that way the system isn't sealed and can't build up enough pressure/heat to boil the water away?

its actually the other way about,leaving the cap of thus not pressureising the system lowers the boiling point where as if the cap is on & the system is presurreised it raises the boiling point  

[Tyke]

lolly, prices sent by e-mail but i need to know if the head gasket has 3 small holes near the side

That determines the gasket thickness. there is a small tab of gasket material sticking out from the head , can't remember which side it's on and it's peeing down here right now, but you will find it if you look around. Should be a row of holes punched in the tab  

Should get it done for a lot less than a grand  :o