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BazEdgar
20-09-2012, 15:23
Hi, quick question;

my head gasket needs replacing, is it enough to just get the head skimmed or does the block need doing too?
Also, which makes of gasket should I stay away from?

Thanks
Baz

16v_paddy
20-09-2012, 17:42
Get the head properly checked & pressure tested to see if it's flat as you never know, it could be fine.

As for gaskets to avoid, BGA are shite & payen is probably the best

BazEdgar
21-09-2012, 00:11
Great, thanks

Wobba
21-09-2012, 13:33
Block is pretty hardcore, you don't skim them usually.

BazEdgar
22-09-2012, 00:28
Besides the timing chain is there anything else I should change whilst its in bits?

16v_paddy
22-09-2012, 02:03
Valve stem seals & it'd be very rude to not to re-lap the valves in while the head's off.

MatBrown
26-09-2012, 23:56
Are you sure it's gone?
On such low milage.

BazEdgar
02-10-2012, 12:45
I'm pretty sure Matt, theres a lovely constant drip of coolant coming from near one of corners of the head/block join when the engines running. What else could it be?

MatBrown
02-10-2012, 20:04
Ah yes, build up of silt in the corner due to infrequent coolant changes.

BazEdgar
03-10-2012, 15:37
Ah, it sounds like you've come across the problem before! In your opinion, how often should the coolant be changed?

BazEdgar
03-10-2012, 18:30
Turns out it wasn't the head gasket where the coolant was leaking from! I can't believe I missed it but its tracking down from where the coolant header tank return hose joins the engine. I manipulated it a bit and the hose with its jubilee clip came clean off from the engine. It looks like whatever connector/adaptor that was holding the hose to the engine has corroded or just rotted through.

Does anyone have any idea where I could get another one of these crappy little adaptors? Obviously I'll be draining and flushing the coolant if and when its all fixed

MatBrown
03-10-2012, 19:04
Renault reccomend every two years.

MatBrown
03-10-2012, 19:07
That sounds like thermostat housing?

BazEdgar
03-10-2012, 19:30
Not sure! I'm not too familiar with the engine yet. I doubt I'll be able to find another one of these little adapters or what ever it is though so I'm not sure what I'm going to do. If I find a piece of metal pipe the right diameter, the only way of fixing it to the thermostat housing (if thats what it is), is to weld it in. Then I can put the coolant return onto that. Fun!

MatBrown
03-10-2012, 21:31
Get a picture of the offending item.

BazEdgar
04-10-2012, 13:10
The first is of where the mangled adapter used to be, between the hose and the hole you can see. ignore all the orange crap everywhere, that apparently is what my coolant looks like (hence the drain and flush)
The second is the now mangled adapter. Help!
50985099

BazEdgar
04-10-2012, 13:16
51005101
Incase they didn't upload properly. The non-mangled half of the adapter was in the hose

Wobba
04-10-2012, 13:37
Just replace the housing. Mine destroyed itself from the inside out as well, causing coolant loss and then HG fail.

Don't bodge job it, can easily replace that.

Wobba
04-10-2012, 13:39
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w102/barneywobba/My%2016V/DSC00255-1.jpg

Oh, and when you take the housing off be prepared for the crap soft torx bolts to round their heads off ^^

BazEdgar
04-10-2012, 13:46
Ok thanks a lot Wobba! Any ideas where I can get a new/used one?

Wobba
04-10-2012, 14:23
Mat will have one spare, or Renault. If it is a used one just check the inside parts of the pipes before fitting, as this is where they tend to fail ;)

I've got one somewhere but I don't know what condition it is in.