Head gasket

[Jimbrown]

I have been told my head gasket has gone at the back of the block it feels like it has and also sounds like a petrol engine with one of the spark plugs only screwed hlf way in, I would take this as fact usually but the odd thing is I am not losing oil or water nor are they mixed, if anyone else has any thoughts on this could they let me know.
Also one garage has tried to convince me that landrovers need the head gasket doing about every 90k miles so chances are mine has been done so  it could need a new head,
Anyone shed any more light on these problems I will be grateful.

Thanks
Jim

[Telaren]

I have been told my head gasket has gone at the back of the block it feels like it has and also sounds like a petrol engine with one of the spark plugs only screwed hlf way in, I would take this as fact usually but the odd thing is I am not losing oil or water nor are they mixed, if anyone else has any thoughts on this could they let me know.
Also one garage has tried to convince me that landrovers need the head gasket doing about every 90k miles so chances are mine has been done so  it could need a new head,
Anyone shed any more light on these problems I will be grateful.

Thanks
Jim

Jim, I have the exact same problem.  It sounds like a chuffing steam engine or a clicking when inside.   :lol:

I have spoken to several people and they confirm that it is the head gasket.  The original gasket is apparently prone to blowing out a small piece from the back of the engine.

When you put your hand round the back it feels like the core plug but I have been assured it is the head.

There is a new updated gasket that has 3 layers of tin in/on it which should stop this happening.  Make sure they don't try to put the old style back on.

I am in the process of booking mine in for after Easter to have a new head gasket and also the head skimmed as they tend to cut it.

Let me know how you get on and I will see if I can get any pictures when it is stripped down.

Cheers  Taz

[Frankie-Boy]

That's exactly what happened with mine too, I thought at first it was an injector leaking but you could hear it both sides of the engine, I had my friendly indy check it out, he told me it was very common on mid to high mileage 300's.

Mine had the head skimmed as a matter of course just in case.

I dont think its the case that they need replacing every 90 thousand, mine was near on 140 when it went, no big loss of power, no oil & water leaks or interchanging of the two.

[garysf]

Hi Jim

I second what Taz said,

Mine blown 2months ago, at 115K after I heard the price form the garage to do the work, I looked on the discovery owners club website and here for advice. and that gave me the confidence to do it my self

Read the manuals twice and be methodical, and it is possible. The head wiil need to be cleaned up, checked for wrapping and skimmed if required. it will only need to be replaced if it is cracked or has previously been skimmed or is so wrapped that it can't be skimmed. the cost in the Swindon area for skimming is about £60--£80. parts cost me about £140, including a few replacement bolts that snapped off. If the head has not been off before you may not need to replace the head bolts, however it is recommended

It took about 2.5Hrs to take off, and about 4Hrs to put back on. over 2 days

I was lucky my head didn't need skimming.

make sure you don't wear a belt or the stud button on your jeans as they make nice scratches in the wings, I learnt the hard way a few years ago.

good luck

[nigel purnell]

My Head went I found out because one of the plugs was rusty and it sounded like it was running on 7  The gasket was leaking when hot and blew a tiny hole into No 2 pot   Nigel

[Leslie Henson]

Removal of the 200 and 300TDi cylinder heads is pretty much identical. Thread on doing that is here:-

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=8179

Head skim here in Swindon is £20, crack test and skim is £50.


Les.

[Telaren]

Just done my head gasket today.

Took 2.5 hrs to get it off and 3.5 hours to rebuild

Luckily the head did not need skimming but the gasket was definetly blown.  :lol:

For a first attemp I found it quite easy although it did take a while to bolt the exhaust manifold back on.  
 :?
The manual never said that it was braced the the block.  Easiest way round was to remove the studs.  

Parts cost £66 delivered (From K Motors in Preston) which included Head Gasket and Head gasket kit and new head bolts.

Only used about 4 of the gaskets in the kit as it appears to cover the whole engine. :?

Anyway if I can do it then anyone can do it and also save on the garage labour costs (Which where about £400 + parts - estimate)

Time to finish replacing the copper brake pipes on the calipers next.

Bye all and thanks for the help

Taz  :roll: