Possible head gasket failure

[R5gttDJ]

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

[Romil Davda]

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?

[Fordy]

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

[R5gttDJ]

Losing water mate

[SCHWARTZ]

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

[R5gttDJ]

Usually idles fine bud

[SCHWARTZ]

Defo do a comp test on it.

[R5gttDJ]

Would the compression be low with a head gasket failure?

[TopCat]

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.

[TopCat]

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

[SCHWARTZ]

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:laugh:

[R5gttDJ]

Cool thanks for the help

[TopCat]

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 :)

[clee]

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

[R5gttDJ]

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.

[R5gttDJ]

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

[SCHWARTZ]

Normally the idle gets a little lumpy if its going.

[TopCat]

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.

[GT Josh]

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

[Markey Mark (BD)]

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

[R5gttDJ]

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!

[R5gttDJ]

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?
http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/dylanaicsremi/A8B88083-38AD-4FEA-9D27-A620A370E2D2-989-00000096427A83DB_zps9aa2a323.jpg
http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/dylanaicsremi/CB88028E-7F7F-435C-A085-9940A3590240-989-000000965120A1D0_zpsc1e36d3c.jpg

[TopCat]

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

[Adey aka Ewok]

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

[R5gttDJ]

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



Cheers

[Markey Mark (BD)]

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

[R5gttDJ]

Not that I could see mate all seemed smooth and flat

[Markey Mark (BD)]

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)

[R5gttDJ]

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
http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/dylanaicsremi/B21C17BF-3E5E-4DE0-AA32-BC1029F85AA8-214-00000009D5CC445F_zps9e0494c9.jpg
http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/dylanaicsremi/C8A0C346-A2A1-429E-98F3-7007BF16F29D-214-00000009CC748DBF_zps8b3afadb.jpg
http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/dylanaicsremi/A5D38B9E-FDE0-42D8-B0B3-077F93B7B013-249-0000000D944C02BF_zpsb8a57666.jpg

[R5MJH]

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

[R5gttDJ]

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

Cheers

[R5gttDJ]

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

[Fordy]

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