Time for a new head gasket I suppose

Level 1 User Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 39

The other day, I was driving around, and I noticed that the temp gauge is looking up north.

Stopped the car, opened the hood...opened the expansion tank...no effin water!

And the bubbles were around the last spark plug...hmm...I don't know what that one was...

OK, I knew where the trouble is, I have some improvised hose from water pump to rad and it loosened and water drained out...

I fixed the hose, poured the water and went home...about 40 mile drive...

I was driving with my eyes on the temp gauge all the time...but it didn't overheat...it stayed at normal driving temp...

Came home, opened the water tank...enough water in there...

Yesterday, for my piece of mind sake, I started the car...opened the tank...and throttled it...a few bubbles came out when I released the throttle...

Went for a drive, parked back in my yard, opened the bonnet...the hoses were soft? OK...

Squeezed the hoses and throttled the car...they expand, but very slighty...hmm...

So, my guess is, the head gasket is slightly cracked, probably good for some slow under 3000 rpm cruises, and since it's winter, there should be no overheating problems...but I think the time to replace is near...

And the purpose of this long intro is;

- Can I skim the head? I have Volvo's B18EP engine, which is basically similar to F3N from Renault, I doubt that they made changes to the engine itself...

I've read that skimming on that head isn't a option, which is not so great, because I personlly wouldn't change the gasket without skimming the head first, because that's not the complete job then, is it? Smile

And another question...since my engine capacity is 1721, and the F7P has 1764...is my bottom end the same?

I'm asking this because I have one dead F7P engine for sale, the car's run out of oil, plain bearings were gone, so probably the crankshaft got damaged to, and if so, I would like to know what parts from my engine can I mix with F7P...the whole bottom end, crankshaft only or what...except those funny pistons with swimming pool in them Smile

Thanks guys, and please give me some answers before I get mayo on my oil cap

Cool

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

yes it can be skimmed

not its not the same as the 16V. The bearings are though. Cranks close enough to use though.

Level 1 User Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 39

ok Chris, glad to see your answer since I know you have experience with those engines, at least from I can see and read on the boards Smile

Anyway, I think I'll do the standard overhaul - head, gasket, valves...

I hope I'll sell that engine and get me a real lump...