Head Gasket or not?

[M23 Spire 0]

Hi

 

I've been losing coolant quite quickly over the last few weeks so my 2.0L 16v was taken to a reputable Manchester garage.

 

Their opinion was "Checked for coolant leak. Suspect water ingress into engine. Carried out compression test and found cylinder 1 too high. Suspected head gasket leading to water ingress into cylinder1. Requires new head gasket"

 

Also think they mentioned compressions was 4.5 and there was water in the cylinder but hard to tell as poor phone signal. (The notes above is what they have given me)

 

Mileage = 109k

1992 2.0L 16v

 

Suspected the head has already been changed by previous owner

No white mush under Oil cap (clean as a whistle)

No real loss of power (Just a touch bit exhaust is blowing a little)

 

Do you think its the head gasket or are there other possibilities or things I can check for?

 

Also if I had it done do I need to change all the spark plugs? Cam belt has also been recently done (Is this the same as the Timing Belt?)

 

Any opinions appreciated. This may lead to the death of my valver (or sale anyway)!!

 

Not really knowledgeable mechanically so sorry if i've asked anything obvious

 

Cheers

[herisites 0]

If the coolant is getting into any cylinders you will get white smoke coming out of the exhaust. Also smell the coolant in the expansion tank, if it smells like exhaust fumes then that could be head gasket gone.

 

Yes timing belt is same as cam belt, that will all have to come off again to change the head gasket. You dont have to change your plugs, if its been serviced recently and had them changed i wouldnt bother but if they are fairly old then there's no harm in changing them.

[dubcharger 0]

If the previous owner did the headgasket and not had the head skimmed that could be the reason its gone again especially if it overheated it could be distorted

[M23 Spire 0]

Definatley Head Gasket gone / going now. Oil is now getting white mush and steam out of the exhaust.

 

Is Steelseal worth a try?

[KipVR 1]

No. Do it properly or you'll regret it later on. It's worth taking it to a specialist too, like stealth, who will actually care about the car rather than the money and will honestly tell you if things like the chains need replacing or not....If you're an AA/RAC member then get a tow there....welcome to Rado ownership!!!!! (get used to cracking open the wallet too!!!)