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  1. #1
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    Possible head gasket failure

    I'm thinking I could have a head gasket failure
    My car doesn't overheat and stays at temp
    But on tickover there's a small amount of smoke from the exhaust
    My header tank is pressurising with a small amount of coolant coming from the cap
    And it is runing really lumpy and jittery high up the revs

    What do you's think??


    Thanks

  2. #2
    Non-member Romil Davda's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Smoke on idle could be turbo.

    Header tank could be engine breathing heavy but there would be reason for this (rings).

    Do a compression test to rule out bottom end.

    Are you loosing any water or oil?

  3. #3
    Non-member Fordy's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Pressurising of the coolant will be a sure sign of headgasket failure

  4. #4
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Losing water mate

  5. #5
    Non-member SCHWARTZ's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    If you leave it idling will it idle normally or idle fine for a bit then choke up then back to idling normally again?

  6. #6
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Usually idles fine bud

  7. #7
    Non-member SCHWARTZ's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Defo do a comp test on it.

  8. #8
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Would the compression be low with a head gasket failure?

  9. #9
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Smoke on idle could be like Romil says- the turbo oil seals (mine done that) but a header tank pressurising isnt an issue, all cars have pressure- its created by your water pump. the pressure transports the coolant around the system. I'd change your header tank cap seal. If your losing pressure then the turbo might not be getting enough coolant flowing through it causing your seals to get hot.

  10. #10
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Defo do a compression test on the old girl for peace of mind!

  11. #11
    Non-member SCHWARTZ's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Comp test would show up if the rings are bad also if you have cracked a liner. You want all the results to be near each other no more than 10psi drop between them. I think the c1j should be around 145-150psi if all good but has been a long time since I have done one on a c1j

  12. #12
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Cool thanks for the help

  13. #13
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Have u checked for the obvious signs? Spunky white instance on your dipstick? Oily look to your coolant?

    Fingers crossed you're worrying about little problems

  14. #14
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    If it's losing water and it aint on the floor then it's going somewhere .Are the hoses hard and more so with revs ? What colour is the smoke ?White and it's water .
    Could just be a dodgy cap

  15. #15
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    It is white smoke am sure, it's not blue like its burning oil anyway that's happened to my turbo before so I know what to look for.

  16. #16
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    I was worried about the lumpy jitteriness in higher revs (about4500-5500) could just be carb/ fuelling issues but here's hoping

  17. #17
    Non-member SCHWARTZ's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Normally the idle gets a little lumpy if its going.

  18. #18
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Quote Originally Posted by R5gttDJ View Post
    I was worried about the lumpy jitteriness in higher revs (about4500-5500) could just be carb/ fuelling issues but here's hoping
    Sounds like the fuelling wants adjusting mate. And a new header tank cap gasket.

  19. #19
    Non-member GT Josh's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Have you bled the system so there's no air locks?

  20. #20
    Non-member Markey Mark (BD)'s Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Sounds like gasket on its way if your pressurizing the water system and waters being pushed out the tank with the cap off

  21. #21
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Probs take the head off and have a look anyway
    Would it be overheating that would of caused it? Because it did overheat around 3 weeks ago after my fan stopped working!

  22. #22
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Took the head off and the head gasket seems fine??
    The firing ring around the cylinder was rough and coarse? Det??
    I'll renew the gasket, anything I should look for on the head while its off?


  23. #23
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Id get the head tested mate- might be a failure internally?

  24. #24
    Non-member Adey aka Ewok's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Right hand ring in that pic looks out of shape to me?

  25. #25
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Might just be the angle ad the picture mate I'll check over it, probs worth getting it tested to be safe



    Cheers

  26. #26
    Non-member Markey Mark (BD)'s Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    What's the head look like? Any pitting on the face?

  27. #27
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Not that I could see mate all seemed smooth and flat

  28. #28
    Non-member Markey Mark (BD)'s Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Quote Originally Posted by R5gttDJ View Post
    Not that I could see mate all seemed smooth and flat
    Just wonder if had been detting, normally see the marks on the squash area (sections covered in soot)

  29. #29
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Measured the head and its 72.8
    Think this is my problem as its over skimmed??
    And it could be my faulty measuring but it was 72.8 at one end and 72.9 at the other



  30. #30
    Super Administrator R5MJH's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    thats very possible, shame you didnt check the piston comps before removal, but if the head is under 73mm its normally no good for the standard comp pistons mate

    mikes old head was 72.5 wish caused high piston comps in the region of 180psi which made it keep blowing hg, we got another head for the fresh build of 73.2 ish and a 1.9mm head gasket gives us 145psi across all 4 pistons which is the correct pressure for a standard c1j engine boss

    hope this helps

  31. #31
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    If I look at the liners should I notice cracks?
    Or could they be hidden behind the piston?

    Cheers

  32. #32
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Put bolts and washers on the liners and turned the crank and I couldn't see any visible cracks
    Should I be ok then??

  33. #33
    Non-member Fordy's Avatar
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    Re: Possible head gasket failure

    Your head will be fine, check fueling and for detonation once back together with a blue seal headgasket.

    Also check your Aei vacuum capsule is holding vacuum and boost pressure

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