Head gasket gone

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:57 pm

Thing is, whilst a high level alarm on on the LCA might have alerted you, wouldn't it just have been confirming that a blown head gasket was causing eruptions in the header tank? In other words, it wouldn't have saved you from the need to a new head gasket. And would even a modified (Mason) temp gauge have given any clue? If that is the case, then there's no point in being too hard on yourself. These things happen (although usually with some reason behind them, so it would still be interesting to know what). Sorry to hear about it though

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:28 pm

As the cap was apparantly not on properly (how many of us have done similar?

), I was thinking that if the issue was soleley down to that, high level alarm may have prevented more serious issues by alerting the driver as soon as it happened.
Obviously it would not help if the issue was actually something more serious in the first place, nor I think did I suggest that

Velocette wrote: Yes I think so I had been experiencing lumpiness on starting in the last few weeks and put it down to the cold nights we were having a couple or three weeks back and then sort of got used to it. May have started as compression loss and then worsened to involve the water jacket I suppose but no signs in the oil or exhaust.

This may put a slightly different, less optimistic slant on things. Although that could be a seperate issue such as glow plugs, fuel pump, etc

Velocette wrote:I find denial is often a factor long before something goes belly up, is that just me?

Not just you, I had similar situation last year, chasing issues & boil ups, result - replacement head, hoses & pipes.

Velocette · Post by **Velocette** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:53 pm

Thanks all. i have come to the concusion now that the cap came loose due to the vibrations caused by the escaping fluids. mrs V said there was a terrible graunching sound and vibes through her feet which I guess was the seal farting for want of a better term, could have easily rotated the cap a bit as it doesn't take much.

ADS tell me that the rad is blocked and want to replace it before investigating further. head gasket not ruled in or out at the moment so i have all weekend to fret about it.

I have watched the three videos now but with no sound as at work so I will watch them properly tonight. They look brilliant.

I think the high level alarm might have given me an earlier warning, if I had been on my own I might have driven a couple more miles before realising anything was wrong by which time it could have been a catastrophic failure. It might still be one but it ticks over sweetly so I am hoping not. head could still be beyond skimming even if the combustion chambers are still viable, I know.

lazyb5 · Post by **lazyb5** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:26 pm

ahh bad news velo hope its not too expensive. Just looked under the bonnet of mine filling washer fluid and there is a mazda sign saying about bleeding it and use only official method.. Think I will put a laminated sign there saying If bleeding is needed see factsheet in glove box.

Velocette · Post by **Velocette** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:59 pm

lazyb5 wrote:ahh bad news velo hope its not too expensive. Just looked under the bonnet of mine filling washer fluid and there is a mazda sign saying about bleeding it and use only official method.. Think I will put a laminated sign there saying If bleeding is needed see factsheet in glove box.

Cheers, I will have a look for that when I get mine back although I can't say I've noticed it.

I had a car with a bleed valve on the heater circuit once but I can't remember which one. Renault 4 possibly or Box Viva.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:09 pm

The Hi-Alarm add on is no longer available due to lack of demand......we made about 10 a couple of years ago......3 were given away for evaluation and a few were sold.....there has been no interest in them for the past 12 months at least.....

Northern Bongolow · Post by **Northern Bongolow** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:02 am

hi alarm-----best bit of kit ive fitted on both our bongo's.

Velocette · Post by **Velocette** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 11:32 am

haydn callow wrote:The Hi-Alarm add on is no longer available due to lack of demand......we made about 10 a couple of years ago......3 were given away for evaluation and a few were sold.....there has been no interest in them for the past 12 months at least.....

A shame, maybe this thread will generate some interest. If enough people wanted one I would buy one.

dobby · Post by **dobby** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:14 pm

Velocette

Very sorry to hear about the head. Ours went in 2009, despite some proper maintenance in the proceeding year or so a hose split and did for it. Ady did an accidental

Post Mortem on the radiator and it was clogged up badly so I suspect that it had a couple of years of being too hot anyway.

Upshot was that £1400 later with new head, hoses, Rad, stat and this year a new pump its run well since and I've almost forgotten about it.

Moral being, it's lousy when it happens but you end up with a better bongo.

Good luck

Velocette · Post by **Velocette** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:37 pm

dobby wrote:Velocette

Very sorry to hear about the head. Ours went in 2009, despite some proper maintenance in the proceeding year or so a hose split and did for it. Ady did an accidental Post Mortem on the radiator and it was clogged up badly so I suspect that it had a couple of years of being too hot anyway.

Upshot was that £1400 later with new head, hoses, Rad, stat and this year a new pump its run well since and I've almost forgotten about it.

Moral being, it's lousy when it happens but you end up with a better bongo.

Good luck

Thanks, I always like to think that anything that doesn't kill a Bongo makes it stronger! I don't resent money spent on major components if the payback is better reliability. And mine has been reliable. Two trouble free, holidays including Southern France and countless dog rescue runs and I haven't had it a year yet. And I drive it as hard as I did my old Astra when on the motorway etc.

Triple/R · Post by **Triple/R** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 2:11 pm

Fingers crossed for you Velo for the right result

alan · Post by **alan** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 2:59 pm

did my head in last year not good but we spent it on her and all good so far

Velocette · Post by **Velocette** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:55 pm

As a relative Newbie I am overwhelmed with all the good wishes and support as well as the technical advice. Thanks everyone you are great bunch.

This is one of the friendliest forums I've been a member of.

maxheadroom · Post by **maxheadroom** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:01 pm

Velocette wrote:As a relative Newbie I am overwhelmed with all the good wishes and support as well as the technical advice. Thanks everyone you are great bunch. This is one of the friendliest forums I've been a member of.

Oh yes

Velocette · Post by **Velocette** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:39 pm

Latest from ADS, they have replaced the radiator which they found to be blocked but it still boils up. they are advising head replacement as they are certain it will have been damaged without stripping it down. They say it always goes again if you just skim and replace the gasket. I have to trust their experience on this and bite the bullet. My warranty covers me for £500 which will soften the blow a bit. They have quoted me a cost which inludes the rad and probably a new stat and some other bits.

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