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Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:39 am
by dubownerbilco
I have probably answered my own question already but i have to keep topping up my coolant as the expansion tank is empty every couple of days, now it isnt leaking so the only explanation would be for it to be getting into the cylinders and being burnt off. But there really doesnt seem to be enough steam to go with the amount of water ime loosing. Although it is definetly down on power...
I just really hope it isnt something more serious like a cracked head?
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:08 am
by jonny323i
Which engine is it ??
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:41 am
by dubownerbilco
dont want to sound offhand, but its in the m30 section because its an m30

Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:17 pm
by mcbonio
Whats your coolant / water ratio?
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 4:20 pm
by dubownerbilco
At the moment its basically all water because i have had to put so much in recently
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:41 am
by mcbonio
Sounds like you need coolant, I've had this with other cars that haven't had enough coolant.. My theory is the coolant prevents the water reaching an evaporating temp and escaping through the 1 way radiator cap... when its pure water it evaporates up.
Someone chime in and tell me I'm mad...

Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:40 am
by dubownerbilco
It did have the correct coolant to water ratio to begin with which has obviously since long gone as i have been topping up with water
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:54 pm
by Bristol_Jer
Have you taken the plugs out to look at them? If a cylinder has been burning water then the plug in that cylinder might be a bit cleaner than the rest, depending on how bad the gasket has gone.
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:25 pm
by dubownerbilco
Bristol_Jer wrote:Have you taken the plugs out to look at them? If a cylinder has been burning water then the plug in that cylinder might be a bit cleaner than the rest, depending on how bad the gasket has gone.
I couldnt be arsed doing that yet but ime sure atleast one will be squeeky clean! Haha
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:32 pm
by Rav335uk
Have a sniff test done.
It'll tell you if you have a H/G problem
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:42 pm
by BATTS91
What he said ^^^^. Take it to a decent garage and get them to do a simple sniff test . Results are are very good on petrol engines .
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 10:39 pm
by Bristol_Jer
dubownerbilco wrote:Bristol_Jer wrote:Have you taken the plugs out to look at them? If a cylinder has been burning water then the plug in that cylinder might be a bit cleaner than the rest, depending on how bad the gasket has gone.
I couldnt be arsed doing that yet but ime sure atleast one will be squeeky clean! Haha
It's only a 10 minute job!
But better still get a sniff test done as mentioned
Re: Headgasket gone?...
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:26 pm
by BATTS91
And if you dont know what one is its not getting a guy with a big hooter in there . its a chemical reaction with a liquid due to ph levels , ask to watch to learn
