Blown Head Gasket!

[roodini]

It would appear that my head gasket has blown, (water blowing out of the exhaust, rather than oil in the coolant), and I was wondering if it was possible to do the job myself, (limited budget and all that).
How difficult a job is it and how long should it take?
How much are head gaskets for R4 GTLs?
I assume that it's the same gasket for R5 1108cc!
As usual, any and all advice gratefully received.

Rudi.

 

[Steve Hennessey]

Rudi - I've sent you an email!

Steve

 

[Nelson]

Ditto

Same problem - in need of same advice!

 

[Steve Hennessey]

This may help to begin with

http://www.renault4.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=869

 

[nobananas]

From memory head gasket replacement on the R4 was a pretty easy affair. The only thing to remember is to slacken off all head bolts then remove all but one in the center. Then twist the head to break the seal because if you just lift it off you may dislodge the wet liner seals. For the same reason you shouldn't turn the engine over with the head off without clamping the liners down.

 

[malcolm]

How come there are so many head gaskets failing at the moment? The 1100 "Sierra" engine is a well proven design and doesn't shed head gaskets easilly.

Has anyone managed to break one without first loosing all the water from the engine causing catastrophic overheating? I'm tempted to send an email out to forum members suggesting if the radiator is still the original then it's probably knackered and needs replacing. Maybe Frederick the Frog should start doing safety recalls?

 

[Steve Hennessey]

One could argue that if people re-torqued their heads 1000 miles after fitting a new gasket then there should be no further problems. Then you could ask how many of these failures are due to people's workshop practices when replacing the gasket. There are so many variables that it's impossible to say why there's a spate of them at the moment. In my experience, head gaskets go due to other parts in the cooling system failing and the driver does not stop to investigate until it's too late.

As regards radiators, wouldn't it be great to buy a GTL rad made of copper and brass instead of aluminium and plastic. Maybe we can get a batch made, but cost will be high. Let's not forget the hidden heater matrix - if the rad is furred up then the matrix will be furred up as well!!

 

[jjad]

New radiators better?

The new Renault GTL radiator I got a few weeks back boasts an all metal construction, so hopefully won't split at the metal/plastic join.