Over the last few weeks I'd noticed the heater had stopped pumping out hot air, then I noticed the water slowly dissapering.
I couldnt see any visible leaks but I noticed that the water in the top up tank seemed to be reaching boiling point.
Yesterday I topped up With new oil and looked today into the water top up tank and saw that it had turned to brown gunge, so the head gasket has blown.
What would have caused this?? the thermostat the rad or the water pump? is there anyway of testing?
I'm low on cash at the moment so the option of having a new head gasket fitted at £500 - £800 is out of the question, How hard is it to fit one my self??
I have an average knowledge of car mechanics, Ive stripped Engines and gearboxes on metros many times but Having a look and seeing all those injectors and wires staring at me does give the shivers some what.
Has anyone here done this job before themsleves??
Last question can I lift the head off with the manifold and injectors still fitted or do they have to be removed too.
Thx

It seems to be hotspots caused by airlocks from incorrect refilling of the cooling system that is often to blame for HGFs on the 200/400. I'd say £500 is a bit much for fitting a new one, should be more like £300 - £400. As for doing it yourself, I can't help there as I've never done one.

You should try Roverdose in Stevenage. I need a new head gasket for my rover 220 as it's leaking oil. Someone suggested I ring these as I'm a bit skint and was getting quotes of around £400 to fit it, so I was contemplating doing it myself but was worried as I had never done a head gasket on a DOHC 16v engine before. Anyway rung Roverdose up and they quoted me £100 labour + parts so Im looking at around £170 which I will pay gladly at least then I dont have to worry about messing it up

Roverdose (http://www.roverdose.com)

Regards
Lee London
http://www.leegt5.btinternet.co.uk/thumbs/carthumbs/rover.jpg

As i've been flipping through the pages on this site I've been reading about people with blown head gaskets and then the car more or less dieing on them.
Now mine still runs fine with no problems until it get's hot, is this normal??
I know I've got loads of gunk in my expansion tank but is that a definant sign of a blown head gasket.
I really dont want to strip it all down to find its not that

If you have oil in the water you'd expect to also find water in your oil. Check for "mayo" in the oil filler or on the dipstick. If the water is disappearing into the cylinders it will find its way out of the tailpipe, the cooling system would also pressurise which will be evident when undoing the expansion tank cap with a hot engine.

I should add that if you do have a failed head gasket, do not continue to run the car as you'll just end up damaging it more.

I caught my head gasket just before it was about to go tits-up . Coolant starting shooting out like a water pistol . Me and my dad changed it . It was a big job and took us 12 hours ! We left the inlet manifold on . It was awkward but I reckon less awkward than taking it off . But my car is single point injection , and yours may be multi point , so it may be a different story .

I've decided Im going to have a bash at this myself, Now As I dont have a manual Im in need of the correct sequence for tightening the head bolts and the torque settings for each stage of tightening.
Also what's the correct way to bleed the coolant system?? I think the fact I seem to have had an air lock is probably what caused the head to go in the first place.
Thx in advance

Lift the head with the manifold and fuel injectors on in one piece.

Is there a Haynes manual for the K? If so, buy it - it will help you out no end.

Otherwise, get one for a 214. Which is basically the same engine.

First tighten the cylinder head bolts 20Nm (15lb ft) . Then tighten them a further 180degrees , then a further 180degrees .

I never mark the bolts - I just turn them half a turn with a breaker-bar in sequence. Never had one back yet! :iwstupid:

ahh thx man thats just what I was looking for:D

I got the head off just before the rain started :D
The head gasket didnt have any signs of damage or splitting and the head looks fine too except for some very tiny pits in it.
When I turned the head over I notced that the mixture of oil and water was only on the inlet side of the head, The channels on the outlet side where fine.
The piston chambers where fine and the top of the block, no sign of water getting in at all.
Could it still be the head gasket or does it sound like theres a crack in the block or the head.
Is there anyway of testing other that putting the whole lot back together again and waiting to see.

You won't often see much wrong with the gasket....

We've had coolant expanion tanks ful of black oil before and no sign of any trouble on the gasket itself.

Most engine machine shops can pressure test a cylinder head.