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        General >> Problems >> Head gasket
        
(Message started by: Fitzy on Sep 15^th, 2004, 2:31am)

Title: Head gasket
Post by Fitzy on Sep 15^th, 2004, 2:31am

Hi Guys

Need your help again, following a cracked inlet manifold that i'm jusy about to replace after Fordparts.co.uk mucked me about for over a week waiting for them to send me one, i carried on using car just kept filling her up at every oppotunity. I tried a temp repair with some chemical metal over crack but this just made things worse and she started to lose water quicker than i could keep the old girl topped up, wasn't leaking from same point though, unfortunately it got to the point where the engine would start to pink on accellerating then she would just cut out, as i was topping her up there was some bubbling noises like a kettle boiling coming through the exspansion tank, and when i removed the oil fiiler cap the top end seemed very smokey and hot.

Am goin to change manifold in next couple of days but was wondering does this sound like i have cooked the old girl to the point of blowing the head gasket, even though i can't find any signs of water or oil contamination in either water or oil. If the head gasket has blown is it a FMD job or could a compodent DIYer like myself do it, on the T.I.S it looks rather complicated sayiny that the timing chains need to be removed and all sorts of parts replaced as you rebuild her, has anyone out there renewed a head gasket before? If so was it an easy job or not.

Sorry to go on abit guys but i thiught it best i give youas much information as possible, BTW my car is a 1997 P reg 2.3.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Fitzy ;) ;D ;)

Title: Re: Head gasket
Post by Richard on Sep 15^th, 2004, 3:14am

Yes i have done mine, but i am still having problems with it getting hot. My manifold split because the head went,thought it was just the gasket until i had the head tested, I was told this is a common problem with the 2.3. Yes you can do it yourself if you have done engine work before, but it aint that easy so be warned,It is simular to the 2.0 Sierra engine with a few small differences,I used this as a reference for stripping and rebuilding but used this site for all torques etc,The Haynes manual for the Galaxy 2.3 will help you out if you need a manual but there will be some small differences because it is transverse mounted in the Galaxy.
Parts cost me over £800, £225 for a manifold from Fords(only place i could find one) the first one i had from them was only half finished,there were no brass thread inserts installed. The head was near £500 but you get £150 back when you take the old one back, this took a month to get because there wasn't one in this country, they had to order it in from Germany.
Head gasket from Fords,found this to be the cheapest place to get it from at £26, my local engine parts shop wanted near £80 for just a head gasket, head bolts were £22 from the engine shop, Ford wanted £4 each X10,plus various other bits and pieces.
All in all it took me six weeks to do and over £800, and now it is still getting hot giving the symtoms of an airlock, Just bought a rad from ebay for £50 brand new so i am hoping this is going to be the cure,If it aint then i don't know what to do next.

Title: Re: Head gasket
Post by Fitzy on Sep 15^th, 2004, 7:48am

Thanx for the reply Richard, did you replace the timing chain guide and other associated bits as recommended by Fords or did you re-use old bits, the T.I.S says you have to replace the plastic chain guide and chain tensioner plunger or can you get away with using the old ones?

cheers

Fitzy ;) ;D ;)

Title: Re: Head gasket
Post by Richard on Sep 15^th, 2004, 1:08pm

I used the old ones only because i had only had the car three months and when i had stripped it found it must have only been done just before i had bought it, so it must have done to sell, but a botch up job i must add.

Title: Re: Head gasket
Post by Fitzy on Sep 15^th, 2004, 5:35pm

Hopefully i don't think i've blown the head gasket, do you know how to elease the fuel pressure without using the proper tool?

Regards

Fitzy ;) ;D ;)

Title: Re: Head gasket
Post by SaveTheNight on Sep 15^th, 2004, 7:38pm

hiya... remove the fuel pump relay and then turn the engine over a few times to release the pressure ... hth .... STN