Urgent advice on cylinder head please!

[langtoftnick]

After yet another boil up in the cooling system we've taken the head off and it's warped. It's being skimmed at the moment but I'm concerned that it may be cracked. From what I've read pressure testing isn't always reliable so my question is is it best to replace rather than risk the whole thing going pear shaped again? So much conflicting advice on the internet... But always had good advice from people on here! I don't want to spend money on the labour required to refit the existing head only to find that it's knackered.

Btw I've had a new rad, new thermostat, new header tank, flushed all the galleries, verified all the hoses and unions, flushed out the heater matrix and still getting problems. My bleeding skills have been honed too!

Thanks

Nick

[Northern Bongolow]

the warped heads ive seen, (several) have lifted across the camshaft journals, cylinders 2-3 lift. this can trap the camshaft and snap it.
ive seen one that was still running, but badly, when the cam gear was being driven but the camshaft was in 3 pieces, it had snapped under the camshaft bearings and couldnt be seen but was obvious when the engine was rotated.

http://www.mazdabongo.com/catalog/engin ... esel-95-03

[Bob]

Personaly, given the labour involved, I'd fit a new head.

Time you allow the cost of skimming I'm sure this is the better option.

[mikeonb4c]

Personaly, given the labour involved, I'd fit a new head.

Time you allow the cost of skimming I'm sure this is the better option.

That would be my inclination also. Adrian at Japandirect reckons 9/10 turn out to be cracked. Best bite the bullet and get a new one.

[haydn callow]

Agree with all the above

[langtoftnick]

Yet again thanks all, I have taken the plunge, I have replaced just about everything else I can possibly replace to get Bertie reliable so seems silly to scrimp on this.

[mikeonb4c]

Yet again thanks all, I have taken the plunge, I have replaced just about everything else I can possibly replace to get Bertie reliable so seems silly to scrimp on this.

I see my Bongo as a pet. The vets bills hurt but she's worth it as nothing else compares. My head went early this year so you have my sympathy. I now try and budget ahead of trouble Buy a good quality head and not a cheap ebay one. Worth considering other jobs while doing head. Engine temp sensor is one, water pump and thermostat also if old, and radiator if old and you're not flat broke by then. Good luck and keep us posted.