Head Problems?

[Covsprint]

I am hoping for some positive words, but failing that, an honest opinion will be fine.

Prior to the Round Britain Run, and after changing radiator and hoses, and retorquing heads, the cooling system would not seal. When cold, the coolant would not return to the radiator, and on whipping off the expansion tank cap, coolant overflowed with a gurgling sound. No mayo on the oil filler, none in the oil, no overheating, car running very well.

Checked a few hose joints and a few were a little loose, but nothing major. Retorqued heads once again (from stone cold), and the same happened, but to a lesser extent.

The car managed the 2,000 miles of the round britain run in 48 hours without any problems, having lost only a bit of water on the way, but still pressurising. Again, temp exactly where it should be.

Tried a bottle of Radweld, no difference. No visible signs of leaks.

Popped along to a friendly Mot tester today who shoved the exhaust gas tester in the rad neck, and although it could not find any CO, there was a lot of unburned fuel detected (HC). They felt that this was a sign of the dreaded HG failure, and I should start saving.

Anyone have any strong agreement or disagreement?

On the basis that the car was running for the vast majority of the 48 hours of the RBRR without a break, sometimes in heavy traffic without moving for minutes at a time, I would have thought that any head problems would have developed into something terminal at that time. Do HGs fail that slowly?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks

Mark McLean

[V Mad]

imported post

I have just had a similar symptom where the coolant overflows from the expansion bottle. Each time I returned it to the rad, it later pushed back out. When the engine was hot the expansion bottlewould sizzle andexpel a littlecoolant. Some steam was also evidentfrom the exhaust pipes.

When I pulled the plugs, and spun the engine over on the starter, water spat out of No8 cylinder, so that confirmed a head gasket problem. Compression tests showed no problem though.

[Bob Heritage]

imported post

Always worth a check to see that it is not sucking air into the system from elsewhere- hose for example, the standard system is fine so long that it is air tight. You can always fit a header tank, which can mask some of the symptoms (not that that is a good idea) or try re=torqueing the heads.

[Covsprint]

imported post

On the basis that this only started when I changed the rad, hoses, and retorqued the heads, I think there is a good possibility that something like this is to blame. Will also try pulling out the plugs and turning over to see whether water shoots out, like V Mad did.

Fingers crossed!