Is my head gasket blown?

[Leen]

Overheated due to an airlock blew a hose and left loads of nasty stuff inside, including the expansion tank.

Same stuff is on the oil cap.

[dannyboy759]

Yeah looks like it, But it doesnt have to be that one thing could be a few other things to.
But id say so.

[snoops]

if its a 6 cylinder m20 it will mostlikely be the head thats cracked

[Brianmoooore]

How did you get an airlock? If you haven't been messing with the cooling system, then the gasket was already gone. With the hose split like that, I suspect you either had a very old hose, or the coolant pressure cap hasn't been replaced under the 1997 recall.

[Leen]

Well the old hose that was on my car was passed onto my mate as his had spilt, I fitted another I found and didnt bleed the cooling system through properly.

The cap is a bit funny fitting tbh but never thought anything of it,

I've just removed the rad and its caked in the horrible stuff just flushed that through with a hose but all my hoses are full of these crap,

What would be the best way to flush the lot through?

If I can make the engine last untill the new year I'd be happy and lucky lol I'd plan an m50 conversion I just dont have the funds at the min to do it

Prehaps my best option is to see if I can get a rotton 325 cheap and just change the lump over and see what I can make on the parts :S

[Brianmoooore]

What would be the best way to flush the lot through?

Fill it up with TFR (traffic film remover - the stuff you wash trucks with)

[uzdubmwe30]

and put some k seal in with the anti freeze if the head gasket has gone, might buy you a little bit more time, has worked a treat on some of mine in the past.

matt

[Leen]

More nasty pictures...

[slinky2000]

ooh ansty, nice plates though!

[snoops]

[Spankie]

I've had two heads go like this, really feel for you not nice

IF it is cracked (head gasket is a possibility) the crack wll run along bottom of camshaft bearings but difficult to see with oil and camshaft in place. It can be welded/ bearings re cut by expert but new casting is most reliable fix.

[daimlerman]

I've had a mess like that as well!! I used the remains of a drum of avtur left over from my time in the RAF to break the stuff down and flush the radiator out.The block (water jacket) will be full of the stuff,too.TFR mentioned above sounds like a safe option!!When you pull the head off,have a crack test carried out...

[Leen]

Thanks for all the replys and the help,

I just havnt got any spare cash to fix it atm or keep a non working car,

It's being broken for parts

[abelai]

It really wouldn't take long just to rip the head of to have a look as there is always the chance that it is just a head gasket.