ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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So, as you all know I own this...  Which was great, until it did this...  Er, metaphorically speaking. In reality it started losing oil, though the oil level itself didn't drop. This was because the coolant was seeping into the oil and 'topping it up' as it were. Head gasket is goosed would be my thinking. It's not been used for a week and since then both the coolant and oil have dropped to near nothing - this is one poorly car. Now here is the dilemma. Contrary to popular belief, the world of magazine journalism does not pay well. Add into this the fact that the car is worth about £9.50 and you can easily see why I'm hesitant to put it into a garage - especially as a specialist has hinted at it being around £700 to put right. At the same time I'm also very aware that my skills would only get me as far as taking it apart - successfully putting it all back together would no doubt result in further mechanical failure. I don't have much money to pay a garage, but I d have enough to pay someone to help me. Does anyone have a day free to assist me (read: do it right) in trying to get this heap back on the road? I need this car, I'm screwed without it. I can't use the Zodiac as a) it's not safe for my daughter b) it's awful on fuel and c) it doesn't have much mot on it. I can't buy another car either, so I really do have to fix this one. I have some tools, I'll buy all the bits to replace the HG and I'll pay you as much as I possibly can for your time. And I'll feed you like a king and let you look at my extensive collection of Front magazines, too. The car is in Hextable, near Swanley. There's no rush on this, I'm 110% flexible on time. Also, I'm not expecting you to do all the work, I'll be mucking in just as much. I need help to make sure everything is done right, hence wanting someone with a bit of know-how by my side. So, there's my plea! Thanks, Chris PS. If you're one of the people who know these cars better than me and think this is a ridiculous plight, do say so. I don't want to waste anyone's time. PPS. If topped up it probably would make it a short distance if that's of any help, though for obvious reasons I'd rather not. |
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May 19, 2011 10:08:55 GMT
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I wish I was closer, Chris - I'd gladly help out. It does sound very much like head gasket failure.  |
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May 19, 2011 10:20:11 GMT
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I wish I was closer, Chris - I'd gladly help out. +1. If you haven't got it sorted before late June then I might well be able to help. I hope you do find someone to help beforehand though. |
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May 19, 2011 10:23:24 GMT
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its probably gonna be cheaper to buy another one and swop the engine over and then weigh in the donor, have you priced up the gaskets yet?
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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May 19, 2011 10:34:01 GMT
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its probably gonna be cheaper to buy another one and swop the engine over and then weigh in the donor, have you priced up the gaskets yet? Gaskets won't cost me anything - perks of the job.  Chris |
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May 19, 2011 10:35:43 GMT
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Gasket set's only £40. cgi.ebay.co.uk/200579406282OK, so it's ended, but they have a HG only and probably have more full sets. Add in coolant and oil and you should be able to do it for less than a ton. If the head needs skimming - you won't know until you get it off - then yes it'll cost somewhat more. Dartford Rebore might be conveniently close for skimming - though they are well known so might be busy. Can you see where the oil's leaking from? |
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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May 19, 2011 10:38:52 GMT
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Gasket set's only £40. cgi.ebay.co.uk/200579406282OK, so it's ended, but they have a HG only and probably have more full sets. Add in coolant and oil and you should be able to do it for less than a ton. If the head needs skimming - you won't know until you get it off - then yes it'll cost somewhat more. Dartford Rebore might be conveniently close for skimming - though they are well known so might be busy. Can you see where the oil's leaking from? Again, head skimming won't cost me anything, it'll just elongate the process. As for the oil, looks to be from the front of the engine. Though with work, a daughter/hospital drama and other commitments I've not really had much time investigate. Chris |
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May 19, 2011 10:45:02 GMT
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Has it been loosing it really rapidly? It's possible that it's from the cam chain tensioner (big bolt head on the RH side of the engine). Andy's Benz lost a gallon of oil in about 4 miles from there...
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May 19, 2011 10:46:46 GMT
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I'd have thought, if it hasn't overheated, you'll get away without a skim. However if you can get one gratis it'd be rude not to!
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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May 19, 2011 10:47:20 GMT
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Yeah, from the coolant warning light coming on and noticing the leak it went dow pretty quick. RH would make sense too as the engine is pretty gunged up around that area.
Chris
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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May 19, 2011 10:48:05 GMT
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I'd have thought, if it hasn't overheated, you'll get away without a skim. However if you can get one gratis it'd be rude not to! It's definitely never overheated, I'm confident of that. Chris |
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May 19, 2011 10:50:11 GMT
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Has it been loosing it really rapidly? It's possible that it's from the cam chain tensioner (big bolt head on the RH side of the engine). Andy's Benz lost a gallon of oil in about 4 miles from there... I never thought of that. It'd be a fair bit easier and cheaper if it's the chain tensioner. |
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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May 19, 2011 10:51:01 GMT
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Has it been loosing it really rapidly? It's possible that it's from the cam chain tensioner (big bolt head on the RH side of the engine). Andy's Benz lost a gallon of oil in about 4 miles from there... I never thought of that. It'd be a fair bit easier and cheaper if it's the chain tensioner. Would that cause the coolant to drop, though? Chris |
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May 19, 2011 11:38:29 GMT
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I never thought of that. It'd be a fair bit easier and cheaper if it's the chain tensioner. Would that cause the coolant to drop, though? Chris Hmm, not that I can think of. And if you're definitely getting coolant in the oil then HGF seems likely to me. What's the water in the header tank like? Any oily film / mayonnaise / frothy scum in there? |
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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May 19, 2011 11:44:58 GMT
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Would that cause the coolant to drop, though? Chris Hmm, not that I can think of. And if you're definitely getting coolant in the oil then HGF seems likely to me. What's the water in the header tank like? Any oily film / mayonnaise / frothy scum in there? No, the oil hasn't emulsified nor does the header water look scummy/oily. Weird. |
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May 19, 2011 11:51:07 GMT
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Sorry to hear this buddy - HG on these isn't a terrible job tho (especially if you don't pay for parts - lucky £$%^) You'll probably want a set of head bolts too.
James is right about my rapid oil-splooge but I don't think that is the case here - as BB says, can't see how that'd cause coolant loss.
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bxer
Part of things
Posts: 457
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May 19, 2011 21:18:27 GMT
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For anyone else curious about the second pic, after some hunting around following the image link, it seems it's from a film I've never heard of, called Derailed  |
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,546
Club RR Member Number: 11
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May 19, 2011 22:10:27 GMT
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Chris - I'll happily pop over and lend a hand but my mechanical knowledge/spannering ability is not much greater than yours I'm afraid. I may however have a car you can use in the mean time. You'd have to insure it yourself (there's no policy on it currently). My brother was using it but he's picking up an Octavia on Saturday so is returning this one to me, it's only a little Pug 106 1.1 on an R plate but he's been ferrying around his family in it without issue (my niece is 18months old). I'll have to check out what we are doing with it but I can't see a problem with loaning it out if need be as I'll only be selling it otherwise. At least that could give you some time to get the Benz sorted  Let me know either way as your only a short drive or a slightly longer but pleasant cycle away |
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May 19, 2011 22:17:23 GMT
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Sorry to hear this buddy - HG on these isn't a terrible job tho (especially if you don't pay for parts - lucky £$%^) You'll probably want a set of head bolts too. James is right about my rapid oil-splooge but I don't think that is the case here - as BB says, can't see how that'd cause coolant loss. My thought was that the oil leak and HG were unrelated - unlikely to happen at the same time, but possible. |
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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Anyone?
P, p, p, pweeeeeese!
Chris
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Ax GTi Turbo