Hi all

Iv got a 1999 1.9 Ducato, the problem is that the coolent water is thick black oil and the dipstick is showing clear water with a trace of oil.

I took it to the garage and he quoted between £900 and £1200 to replace the head gasket. Thats not going to happen!

The problem I have is that I have had no other symptoms of a blown head gasket: No overheating, no loss of coolent (when there was some in there!) under the van and no white smoke. The only problem I noticed was a slight oil leak under the van.

Iv used K-seal twice and its lasted about a month but now the oils back.

The question is this, is it a blown head gasket or could it be something simpler? If it is the head gasket is that a job for a diy'er? and would i need to replace anything else?

I cant find anything on the internet to help with this van and i need it for work so if anyone can help i would be very grateful

Cheers

If the vehicle has a turbo then there may be a leak in the intercooler radiator mixing oil with water...

Its just a 1.9, no turbo, slowest van iv ever driven

Most likely HG then...

Yes, the 1.9 non-turbo is unbelievably slow.

If I am correct, this engine is fitted with an oil-to-water heat exchanger where the oil filter is attached. At least, the 1992 model appeared to have such a thing. This could be a possible cause of water and oil mingling. I don't know how you could test it apart from substitution of a good one.

Iv decided to change the head gasket myself and already have felt like smashing the van with a hammer!

The glow rods are stuck and the cam head bolts are well and truly stuck and I dont know if i force them wether they will snap.

Does anyone know anything about the tourqe settings? I read about it the other day but it didnt say how to do it.

Here You are . You must have a dynamometric key to do this job .