Advise re, Head gasket replacement

M&K · Post by **M&K** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:44 am

Greetings, I have an oil leak on the drivers side of the engine , near the front, my local garage ( Birmingham ) are good but not familiar with Bongo's. They have looked at the problem and said the head gasket needs replaceing which will also require the head to be skimmed, but are unable to give me a price untill they have thought about it, I have Printed out the Head Gasket info from the club newsletters which I will give to them but can any one give me advice on the possible cost I should be looking at and/or any information which may help ?

Regards, Mike.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:02 pm

No idea of cost, but unless it's a bad oil leak(i.e.dripping from engine), or engine isn't running well, I'd be tempted to leave well alone.

nfn · Post by **nfn** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 4:35 pm

I would get a second opinion, preferably from a mechanic who knows bongos. Surely if the head gasket is leaking there will be at least a few other symptoms of a failing head gasket -- exhaust gases in coolant, losing coolant, blue smoke from exhaust pipe, etc. Maybe the oil leak is coming from the valve cover gasket if it's leaking out over the front of the engine.

dreamwarrioruk · Post by **dreamwarrioruk** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:04 pm

our gasket is leaking, i would think that a lot of bongos with have some oil leaks to some extent. im not burning oil and wouldnt consider removing the head unless i get a seroius problem. about 180 for the gaskets and bolts and i think about half a day to strip off head diy, dont know how much a garage would charge but like franco said if it aint too bad leave it alone.

bongoing-mad-simon · Post by **bongoing-mad-simon** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:27 pm

hi m&k
here is a copy of my bill

good luck in finding the problem

___________

simon

I'm bongoing mad! R U?

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:43 pm

If its just a black gunge just below the rocker cover/cly head near the front. They nearly all have that and don't worry. If it is fresh oil dripping down than thats a different matter.

bongoing-mad-simon · Post by **bongoing-mad-simon** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:50 pm

as hayden has said i have the same black gunk and as you see i've had a new head.

_____________

simon

I'm bongoing mad!R U?

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:58 pm

The black gunge doesn't actually come from the cyl head gasket. It comes from a rubber seal in that area

nfn · Post by **nfn** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:03 pm

Mike,
Did the mechanic do a pressure test of the cooling system and/or engine compression test? These tests would confirm the diagnosis of a leaking head gasket. Oil leaking to the outside is not such a problem, unless it's a big leak.

bongoing-mad-simon · Post by **bongoing-mad-simon** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:19 pm

hayden,
had head cos had over-heating probs ,i think gunk is somthing to do with egr but not sure.

____________

simon

I'm bongoing mad! R U?

tomsk · Post by **tomsk** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:49 pm

Dear M & K

I too thought my head gasket was leaking, drivers side near the front top of the block etc.
My mechanic says it is the inlet manifold gasket, and I will have it replaced later this year.
I have been to Europe with it like this twice this year, and going again in two weeks, no problem.
I see others on the forum who have had the same leak.
Really need to get it checked out first.
Just a thought?

Regards

Tomsk[/url]

M&K · Post by **M&K** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:31 pm

Many thanks to you all for your advice and thoughts regarding my oil leak, there is plenty to think about, a presure test is a good start but if Simons bill is about the average i ceartainly will not be going down that road unless i have to.

Best Regards, Mike

prb007 · Post by **prb007** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:45 pm

Just had head & gasket changed.
Head.........300quid - eBay
Gasket set; eBay.....50quid
Press. teast 40 quid.
Labour 200 quid - my mate.
Total .....600-ish.

still got probs, though....
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... hp?t=12931