well the Marea has gifted me the experience of changing a head gasket, so im going to order some pieces, and jump in at the deep end.

My experiecnce will be documented here, in the hope it can help others brave the path i am babout to take, i shall take as many photos as i can, and if i have time at the end, i'll compile it into a guide.

my first question is, is there anything alse i can do in the engine while it's open? for example, is it possible to change/clean the piston rings or does that have to be a sump off, and bottom end bearings off, job? would it be a good idea to change all the injector spray heads? i shouldn't need to do the cam belt as that was changed this year.
what about bolts, are they stretch bolts in the TD100 or not, should i order bolts to go with the gasket? any other things i should be aware of before i order the pieces?
thanks in advance

pretty quiet in here.. so a post in the TECH section should be useful..,

new bolts + gaskets, CAREFULLY check the head is still flat.

YOU are correct, to access pistons it's a sump off job.. not really worth the bother IMHO,

back to basics though.. your cooling system needs a thorough checking to ensure you don't overheat in the near future,
charlie

thanks charlie, i've done a copy, paste, edit, post.
i will do a thourough check of the cooling when all the pipes are off and i can get easy access, for now, i'm aware of the problem and keeping a constant eye on the needle and levels.

well, it seems not being too hasty and biding my time while i reasearche a problem has it's merits. i cleaned and replaced the cooling liquid, and bled it thoroughly, and since, it has not shown the same symptoms, no trouble starting, no loss of fluid, and no bubbles in the cooling liquid. so today i took it to a garage, and had a test for exhaust gasses in the coolant, the test was negative, the liquid didn't change colour and the vacum bulb stayed depressed when the kit was sealed properly in the expansion tank, it seems the head gasket is alright after all.
any updates on the subject i shall post here, but in light of this new information, i think it's safe to close this thread.

GOOD news..,
BUT your coolant must' ve gone somewhere,

check the carpets aren't damp ( heater matrix)

Charlie

yes, that's another awful possibility, i will have to wait until the weather cools a little more, if there is a leak in the heater matrix, it wont show up on carpets until the average internal temperate of the car drops below stifling, another few weeks and autumn should be here and i shall get some hot water flowing to the matrix.
during the summer, a clothes wash would be dry in less than an hour outside, the car was like an oven! no chance of wet carpets, it would dry instantly.

Isn't there always water flowing?

These cars do not have a water valve in the system, just airflaps directing the flow to the heater or to the bypass.

You should be able to smell the leak as coolant has its own smell.
Also the coolant does not evaporate like water in it, you should be able to feel it in your hands.

Neverth said:

These cars do not have a water valve in the system, just airflaps directing the flow to the heater or to the bypass.

Also the coolant does not evaporate like water in it, you should be able to feel it in your hands.

Click to expand...

i did not know that, learn something new every day.

Neverth said:

You should be able to smell the leak as coolant has its own smell.
Also the coolant does not evaporate like water in it, you should be able to feel it in your hands.

Click to expand...

I thought that.. until the Matrix went in our '04 panda,

causing unforseen HG failure - SPECTACULAR ( think Dr. WHO)

carpets, sounddeadening were absolutely sodden.. never noticed a smell ( PINK coolant)

franglais said:

yes, that's another awful possibility, i will have to wait until the weather cools a little more

Click to expand...

depending HOW the system pressure was tested, a leaky hose / matrix should've shown up..??

just keep a careful eye on the fluid levels, and all should be well,

Charlie

varesecrazy said:

depending HOW the system pressure was tested, a leaky hose / matrix should've shown up..??
Charlie

Click to expand...

it was tested with one of these

http://www.importtuner.com/tech/impp_1108_blown_head_gasket_diagnostic/

New one on me..!!,
I would keep an eye on the levels for a couple of weeks,

I suspect you just lost fluid/ coolant SLOWLY until the level reached a point it would no longer cool / flow,

Charlie

well whatever happened last time, i don't know, but this time, im sure it really has blown.

franglais said:

well whatever happened last time, i don't know, but this time, im sure it really has blown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNdbtUGaiYY&feature=youtu.be

Click to expand...

looking pretty bad..!!

guess that's why you're looking at the replacement weekend..??,

Charlie

no i've been looking for a replacement for about a year now, ever since i had the problem with the injection pump, it became a bit of a habit, and the advert i posted the other day i have been watching since before cristmas. I phoned them up friday and got a good deal, and then as we we're on route to another town, the Mrs and i were talking about what to do with the current car, well, the current car didn't like the conversation much, and started coughing, then started overheating. 13 litres of water later, and i managed to get her home, she sat for a couple of hours, and when i went to try and start her this evening, it was a no-go, hydro-lock, the engine wouldn't even turn over.
i'm completely unsure as what do with her, i might keep her for spares, although there is very little that is salvageable, and in good condition, i might keep her as a project if i can get some zero kilometres insurance nice and cheap. not insuring a car is illegal in france, even if it's SORN'ed. there must be some insurance for enthusiasts/restorers and garages etc, i'll have to look into it, or i could sell her to the gypsies and see what i can get, or i could pay to have the scrap yard come and take her away.

toughest thing now is, how do i get to work for 8am on monday? 40 miles, 10stones worth of tools, and no buses. :idea:

TBH if you've got access to time / tools, then removing the head and having a look is probably worth it,

if it was me I would do that,
not buying the gaskets until I'd assessed if it was possible to go back together
( warping of faces) as it's blowing so hard no "steel seal/ etc " is ever going to plug it..,

I'm always astounded how much used cars go for in France..,

just a reflection of their True worth as transport really I suppose..,

Charlie

varesecrazy said:

TBH if you've got access to time / tools, then removing the head and having a look is probably worth it,

if it was me I would do that,
not buying the gaskets until I'd assessed if it was possible to go back together
( warping of faces) as it's blowing so hard no "steel seal/ etc " is ever going to plug it..,

I'm always astounded how much used cars go for in France..,

just a reflection of their True worth as transport really I suppose..,

Charlie

Click to expand...

the only thing that would stop me keeping it as a project would be the insurance. i'm certainly keen, and i like to think im quite capable enough to have a go at the job, but the time and hole in the finances will decide what happens to it.

the second hand market in Europe is much closer to the "real" market value of the machines, in the UK, there is no (nearby) outside market for old cars due to the steering being on the wrong side, and with the strong fleet vehicule market and the general keeping up with the Jones attitude with regards to new cars, there is a massive second hand car market, and not enough buyers. Here in the rest of Europe, we can sell our bangers for export to eastern europe, even africa, there are plenty of buyers.
it's not all that simple but there is my take on it in a nutshell.

if i do take it on as a project, on top of the obvious, it will need a new clutch, thermostat, front tyres, engine and gearbox mounts, left hand side wheel hub, new wheel bearings all round, and lots of TLC on the paint and bodywork.
i dont have time or money for all that. i think she'll most likely go for pieces or scrap.

10 years ago we were 75% set on Buying a UK spec new FIAT in France/ , Benelux and driving home, as @30% saving on UK NEW prices..,

then on a regular run to Boulogne, I wondered if Nearly new was better still,
the value was ALMOST the same as new, ( it's TRUE VALUE,)
unlike the daft depreciation the UK car market suffers.

I recall seeing the 50% depreciation of Lancia's in Parker's car buyers guide.., sounded awful , then realised "Lexus" on the next page were no better..!!

lesson learned..!!