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Head gasket help please!

Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 8:04 pm
by Ruaraidh
Hey folks!

Well I have just finished putting a new gearbox in my van which was a great success! Woohoo!

Downside I have now what seems to be a failing head gasket! Van runs lovely and doesn't miss a beat but more and more the heater keeps goings hot then cold for ages then suddenly boiling hot and the temp sensor starts flashing and beeping.
Open the reservoir and there seems to be a fair build up of pressure and a little coolant loss each time. Fans is kicking in fine, coolant has no oil in it and vice versa but can't think what else it could be?

If it is a head gasket, is there any kind of guide anywhere? I have done a lot of petrol engine builds in the past but this is my first diesel!

Many thanks,

Ruaraidh :)

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 9:35 pm
by rsjohn
Id be checking the thermostat first and make sure water pump is pumping water round.

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 9:39 pm
by Funbagjuggler
Water pumps are prone to fail.....

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 10:19 pm
by Gibbo
What engine do you have ? I have BLS engine and I am experiencing similar problems, although not over heating just lots of pressure in expansion tank and water levels drop so get low coolant level indicator come up but release pressure too up water a little and of I go ! But if I stop for a while heater also goes cold ! I've had a pressure test done and check water pump and all pointing towards head gasket, I'm awaiting a price from local garage (Hertfordshire) but might also do myself depending on cost !!
What gearbox did you fit ? I have a DRW 6 speed in my garage waiting to fit but want to get this problem sorted first !

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 2:32 pm
by Ruaraidh
Hello everyone,

Ok I shall get a thermostat and see if that helps, it has had a water pump when the timing belt was changed about 6 months ago so don't think it will be that so soon?

The engine code is BJB, and it does sound very similar to your problems! Mine has also been pressure tested and it held the pressure 100% perfect. Very strange :( Doesn't missfire or splutter, Just realised that I think the light coming on is the low coolant one you mentioned rather than overheating as has gone away soon as I topped it up!

The gearbox is just another 5 speed sadly as one of the end bearings collapsed and made a hole through the gearbox casing!

I'll try a thermostat and let you know how I get on

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 7:33 pm
by Gibbo
I have a thermostat but it isn't that, mine is head gasket I'm pretty sure of it, £850-£1100 quotes so far

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 12:27 am
by V111FEN
You can reach the water pump with your fingers from the thermostat hole. If the impeller turns or is loose then the pump is no good!!

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 8:18 pm
by Ruaraidh
Hey folks!

So I changed the thermostat and checked the water pump which has no play. It's still running slightly hot though. What I find strange is that the engine can be up to temperature and the first fan kicks in. But even with the new thermostat when I touch the radiator hoses the one from the thermostat is stone cold and the bottom one is hot?

Many thanks

Ruaraidh

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Fri May 29, 2015 10:47 am
by alarmfitter
Could be an air lock or blocked rad

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:32 am
by Ruaraidh
Is there a specific way to bleed the cooling system on the Caddy? I've been told there is no bleed valves?

Many thanks :)

Re: Head gasket help please!

Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:55 am
by alarmfitter
When it's up to temperature feel the rad all over see if there are any cold spots and be carefull of the electric fan