Technical Fearing The Worst...

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Technical Fearing The Worst...

littlericharduk

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Hi All,

I'm suspecting the worse after reading similar post on this forum.

A While back i noticed the sound of running water coming from behind the steering column when first starting the car and moving off.

Past few weeks to a month or so, it feels like the car is a little underpowered at times, particularly in from 3rd gear upwards. Maybe its just me!

I've noticed the fuel consumption has gone down. Used to get around 420-450 sometimes close to 500 miles off a full tank. Now its closer to 380-400 everytime.

The temperature gauge goes up normally (well its not behaved any different since i bought the car, not that i've noticed a change anyway) and stays in the middle position, which i suppose is correct?

My daily journey is quite short (to and from work just 1 or 2 miles each way, crawling in traffic.) with the odd medium to long distance journey thrown in at weekends etc.

Its a Bravo 1.2 16v, around 60,000 on the clock, timing belt changed when i bought it at 50,000

After reading a few posts, i was wondering if any of these problems are linked to a Head Gasket failure, and how to make sure the its knackered, i.e. what are the symptoms to looks for?

Also, how much am i looking at paying if it needs replacing, dont want to get ripped off by some cowboy spanner monkey. Anyone recommend any garages in the Leicester/Loughborough and surrounding area?


thanks in advance for any comments


Richie
 
do a compression test on all cylinders, low compression is a very good sign you have head gasket failure.

have you noticed any coolant loss, and do the air vents still blow hot air?

it will cost up to £200 for a head gasket replacement, but so far i have no reason to suspect you have a head gasket leak.
 
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hi i had the problem with the water sound had the headgaskit done bcos it had gone but i still have the water sound behind the dash all i do is give it a couple of big revs and it goes....sorry but it cost me £765 for the hg done but some garages are different prices think i got ripped off but i like mi car
 
ICE1841 be careful because i had a similar problem with my car with head gasket and yes i fixed it BUT when i picked the car the sound of gurgles behind the dash yes was still can be listened, so i talked to my mechanic and guess, it wasnt only head gasket failure but also a crack to the head near to the valves!(i dont know if i said it right). So have it a check to prevent any worst damage!
littlericharduk to see if you have a head gasket failure check under the oil tap for any white foam. Did you have any loose of coolant fluid, do you refill often? When the car is warm check the exaust for any white smoke coming out. If you see all this symptoms then you have a head gasket failure! I hope you, you dont!
 
Just had a 20 minute drive, and something isnt right with the car.

while driving, turned the heater fans from cold to hot, and there was a slight buring smell coming through, thought they still blow hot air

When i got home i came on here straight away to look at what you guys have said. (thanks by the way)

I've had a look under the oil cap, which was very hot, there wasnt any white foam, but brown gunge (see pic)

also i had a look at the coolant, and when unscrewing the cap, it released alot of pressure with a fizz and gurgle on some water.

havent lost any coolant, but havent topped up for a while (its at the max level indicator)

Any further thoughts?
 

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Sorry to tell m8 but the symptoms and exactly the oil tap which is that i was meaning ( is water mixed with oil) and the pressure to coolant fluid shows a head gasket failure!:(:(
 
actually i've changed my mind, the second post has nothing that suggests head gasket fialure.

there is no coolant loss, the car does dhort journeys which explains any mayo, but in this case it doesnt have any (the cap looks fine imo).

the powerloss and low mpg could be due to something simple like HT leads. its hard to say, but i wouldnt assume the head gasket is leaking.
 
i initially though head gasket leak was most likely, but your further investigation has shown no further evidence of a head gasket leak, so without a compression test or gas analysis i would not feel confident enough to assume it is a head gasket leak, even on a 1.2, and for that reason i would not like to suggest that you go to a garage and pay for a head gasket repair only to come back in a week complaining the problme is still there and you've wasted money. in my opinion we need to do some more investigation to find out if the head gasket is the cause, it is definatly still the main contender, but there is no hard evidence yet.
 
Do the think that (as pointed out earlier) when i opened the radiator/coolant filler bottle top, it released alot of pressure.

As well the burning smell when the interior heaters are on hot?

Would this have anything to do with the head gasket?
 
the cooling system is pressurised when hot, that is normal. this is why the lid says DO NOT OPEN WHEN HOT is big letters with the huge warning symbol next to it. you are very lucky you were not scalded.

a burning smell from the vents has no bearing on the head gasket, it simply means there is something producing the smell at or before the blower motor, that could be many things. usually it is due to leaves in the blower motor or spilt oil on the enigne from filling it previously, depending on the smell.
 
Hi all,

Had it checked out, by 2 People, and they couldnt find anything wrong with it. Both people had it for awhile and checked everything, couldn't find anything.

It might just be me being paranoid, not had the best luck with cars over the years...

Thanks for all your comments thought, much appreciated.
 
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