Hi all, after 1 1/2 years of trouble free motoring i think the head gasket has gone. My vehicle is a Liteace
fxv . 2 ltr turbo,4wd. After a 15 mile drive i noticed antifreeze on the underside, after lifting the passenger seat i found the expansion tank full and after removing the radiator cap no water there. After topping up with about 1 ltr i found the front heater not to be working (running cold). After topping up more and bleeding the system the heater worked fine.
Leaving the vehicle over-night and starting this morning she bellowed a large amount of white smoke for about 2 seconds then cleared. Head gasket ????. Any help greatly appreciated.

- (#100) Stuart, 7 Mar 05 04:35

Usually the advice now is to start with the rad cap off and see if combustion pressure is coming through to the coolant system, as a "volcano" in the filler neck. This may not be very evident in the early stage of head gasket failure. Also if there is still air trapped in the cooling system then you might get similar symptoms from that air escaping, but substantial head gasket damage will prevent you getting the cooling system full anyway - it'll just keep pushing the coolant out.

If there is minor head gasket damage then some owners have had successful repair with recently developed coolant additives which sound as if they deposit a glass-like filler. Instructions for use are straightforward but must be followed exactly.

- (#100) Dave Mason (Sussex), 7 Mar 05 05:35

Having taken off the rad cap there was a "volcano" effect for about 4 seconds then the coolant that was there slowly dropped, having then topped it up it seemed to settle. Any other advise on what i should be looking for or is it time to call in a mechanic. Someone mentioned to me it might be a blocked radiator?.

- (#100) Stuart, 8 Mar 05 05:11

Can anyone give me more information regarding the head gaskets on these vehicles.As mine is blowing water out into the expansion bottle ,i believe the head gasket to have gone, but i have been informed that the head gasket rarely goes on these vehicles and that usually it is the head itself that cracks, but looking in the Bok it sounds like the head gaskets are vunerable.Hopefully when i strip it this weekend i,ll only need a gaket set (wishful thinking).. ps. Just incase does anyone have a good condition head ,as i would be much interested,thats if i need one.

- (#100) Stuart, 14 Mar 05 13:57

Depending on the year of your vehicle, and that the engine is a 2CT, the engine manual Code RMO25E, is a great asset when carrying out this job and gives all the torque settings and bolt tightening sequences, neccessary for a succesful job. Also, the original head gaskets have been superceded by a laminated type which gives much better performance.
It is not always the case that the fault lies with a cracked head, especially if there has been no great overheat. Your description indicates water loss and possible combustion pressure into the coolant system but,unless the engine has boiled and lost all of it's coolant, there should be no damage to the head but, a pressure test will show if this is the case. A local engine repair shop will have the equipment to carry out this work and,if the head is not cracked, a five thou skim will ensure it's flatness when re-fitted.
If your engine IS fitted with the old, compostion gasket, they can fail adjacent to a waterway and give the symptoms which you describe.
It is wise, though not essential, that the 18 head bolts are replaced. They are "stretch" type bolts and their re-use is not always a good idea. The cambelt has to come off when carrying out this work and, if it has not been replaced recently, now is the time to do it.

- (#100) John Davis (Leics), 14 Mar 05 14:29

hi stuart i have laminated type head gaskets the 18 head bolts the cambelt the thermostate and o-ring and bottom pully bolt and woodruff key if intrested email me or if someone else is do the same thanks jason

- (#100) jason, 14 Mar 05 14:48