Head gasket blown for 2nd time!

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Nick Evans - 18 Jul 2004 13:45 GMT

Hi all,

After changing my head gasket about 4 weeks ago and driving about 200 miles
or so... it has blown again!
Done a compression test and I have virtually no compression whatsoever
between 2 and 3 cylinder. GAAAH I am gonna have to take the top down again!!

:-(

I am assuming that the problem is with the head itself, would a simple
regrind of the heads suffice or do I need to do a full engine out job. Also,
how can i tell what the problem spacifically is. I really don't fancy going
out to buy another head or engine if I can fix the old.

Thanks in advance
Nick

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(-AD-) - 18 Jul 2004 14:27 GMT

And Elvis was sitting next to Nick Evans in the spaceship, which I
thought was kinda weird, but then they turned to me and said:

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> how can i tell what the problem spacifically is. I really don't fancy going
> out to buy another head or engine if I can fix the old.

Just checking, but you did apply the new gasket dry? - the most common
cause for newly-replaced head gaskets blowing is when people use gasket
compound on them.

Did it blow between 2 & 3 last time - if so, could have eroded the head
or block slightly in the web between those cyls. A check with a
straightedge and a strong lamp should show if there are any problems.

On some 1275 heads there is a brass plug between the two centre
combustion chambers that can sometimes get pushed back into the head a
little way when the gasket fails, which tends to give problems.

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egor@notnow.com - 18 Jul 2004 20:25 GMT

>Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>how can i tell what the problem spacifically is. I really don't fancy going
>out to buy another head or engine if I can fix the old.

I went through a spell of blowing headgaskets the same way as you. In
the end I cured it in the end by fitting a gasket that had a sheet of
copper on one side.

-anthony

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Skirrow - 19 Jul 2004 10:37 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Thanks in advance
> Nick

I'm no expert but I would say that if you didn't skim the head first
time you should do, especially if it has gone through the same
cylinders. I would do it as a matter of course anyway. Also use a more
expensive copper gasket and make sure that all the nuts are torqued
down correctly.

Dave

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