head gasket replacement costs?

have thay done a sniffer test

its a blue fluid and you put it in a special pump on the rad and suck some air out the rad and if it turns yellow/green it means it has picked up exhaust gasses in the rad meaning the gasket has gone

first id take the water pump off and check that

and how can you remove clean and replace a head and gasket in 2 hours including removing the timing chain it took me just over an houre to remove a single cam head?

Yes it could be the water pump, the impellers detach from the shaft sometimes. Or a blocked radiator.

Don't let a garage just do the head gasket without doing tests like Mark says. But sort it soon or it will definately become a blown head gasket if not already! What about the fan too. Is the viscous working ok?

Kirkynut

Well I did it easy in 2 hours, it's what's known as knowing what you are doing and having the right gear !!!

(Gas engineer by trade)

Blimey. When I looked at the twin cam engine it put me right off attempting a head swap as the chain and all the silicone sealed joints looked a right job. Single cam yes I've done but twin is not for me. 2 hrs I'll send you mine to do if it ever needs it

Got to admit that it was a replacement head all prepared and nice and clean with all new seals and gaskets :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

Also used Blue Hylomar for sealing joints !

Its overheated again tonight :evil: :evil: and the expansion tank was venting - ive let it cool and then topped it up again - about 1/4 litre (the same as before). Whilst poking around in the dark i've noticed that behind the pulley on the nearest the expansion tank there seems to be some leakage - looks like the silicon seal that looks like it runs all the way round the front of the engine is leaking slightly - its not an oily leak, but a very watery leak and smells like anti freeze. Is this whats likely to cause the coolant system to loose pressure and thus vent itself? Any body got a rough ball park figure for changing the head gasket or this seal now - im sure the main stealers will check the engine throughly before deciding on whats what - I've asked them to call with a full price before i decide whats best - new engine or fix it but would like some warning before they call and i might say some naughty words when they say how much :whistle: