Head Gasket Repair Diary

M0T · 7 Mar 2006 at 12:37

agw_01 said:
Best of luck Tom!

And what, you were going to stick a hose down the oil filler cap

Pretty much just wash the crap out, DIY bodge solution

M0T · 7 Mar 2006 at 14:49

Argh!

One of my Allen key bits snapped off in the cambelt tensioner, I tried everything to get it out but to no avail. I have just hand to cut the whole bleeding thing off!

M0T · 8 Mar 2006 at 22:38

HAVE IT!

IT RUNS!

-Mike- · 8 Mar 2006 at 23:32

Mucho impressed - You have done it ALREADY? how on earth

Do you want to fit a gearbox for me

5*'s

-Mike- · 8 Mar 2006 at 23:33

Pictures and video's by the way

M0T · 8 Mar 2006 at 23:55

I have coolant loss. It appears to be leaking from the waterpump area. Looks like the belt has to come off again

Malt_Vinegar · 9 Mar 2006 at 00:04

M0T said:
I have coolant loss. It appears to be leaking from the waterpump area. Looks like the belt has to come off again

Dont worry mate, crack on

All will be fine in the end

Liverpool-Lad · 9 Mar 2006 at 00:06

You did renew the cambelt, right?

M0T · 9 Mar 2006 at 00:08

Liverpool-Lad said:
You did renew the cambelt, right?

We've covered this, 500 mile old cambelts do not need to be changed unless there is an obvious problem with them.

The water pump is only 500 miles old and should not be leaking either.

Well at least the car still runs

Liverpool-Lad · 9 Mar 2006 at 00:15

Cambelts should always be replaced as they are tensioned when fitted. Its up to you though.

M0T · 9 Mar 2006 at 00:19

Liverpool-Lad said:
Cambelts should always be replaced as they are tensioned when fitted. Its up to you though.

And I tensioned mine when refitting it...It would have been impossible to fit the belt back without tensioning it properly.

Liverpool-Lad · 9 Mar 2006 at 00:23

But they should only be tensioned ONCE. Like I say, its up to you - but itd be a pity for the cambelt to let go after all your work for the sake of a tenner.

M0T · 9 Mar 2006 at 00:28

Liverpool-Lad said:
But they should only be tensioned ONCE. Like I say, its up to you - but itd be a pity for the cambelt to let go after all your work for the sake of a tenner.

Who says that?

The rover workshop manual I have says its ok to re-use and retension the belt.

Edit: I clarify that according to the workshop manual it is ok to retension an existing belt if it has been completely removed from the engine, which it was.

Malt_Vinegar · 9 Mar 2006 at 00:32

M0T said:
The rover workshop manual

Therein lies the problem

happytechie · 9 Mar 2006 at 08:44

I know that the garage that I use to do all the work on my MG with the same engine change the cam belt whenever they have it off the car for any reason. It's only a few quid for the part so why not change it and fit a new one. I don't know if they'd change a 500 mile belt though.

HT

burns · 9 Mar 2006 at 08:50

I'd just change it for the sake of ten quid. I made the mistake of not doing it on my Uno whilst doing the hg, and it went within about 500 miles. But like they said, your choice

.

Simon · 9 Mar 2006 at 08:57

Liverpool-Lad said:
But they should only be tensioned ONCE. Like I say, its up to you - but itd be a pity for the cambelt to let go after all your work for the sake of a tenner.

Who says that :confused:

They are 'tensioned' everytime the engine starts due to the 'kick' of the starter motor