vava voom

iTrader: (6)

Hello can anoyone advise me as to how much a head gasket will cost for a p plate ver 3 sti, i just want a ruff figure and if anyone recommends a good garage in the oxford area?? thank you and happy new year

911

They are about £80 the pair, but use the Sti v4 type instead.
Had mine done at www.apiengines.co.uk Call David, tell him '911' sent you.
911

vava voom

iTrader: (6)

Does the engine have to come out for this head gasket change?? the car actually drives very well with no water mix, it just overheats and pisses all the water out. I have been told it may just be the temp sensor as the radiatore does not even get hot ..any ideas please??

911

It is an engine out job sorry to say.
I hoped that I could find another reason for the water loss (cracked radiatot etc) but to be sure try this:

1
Cold engine, fill the coolant header tank. Warm engine on tick-over for 10 mins till good and hot. Check level is correct (max) in the small tube adjacent to the battery. Top-up if not between min/max.
2
Drive the car for a mile or so like you've stolen it. Get out, and with engine running @ tick-over look at the small tube used to check the fluid level in (1).
3
Are there ANY bubbles in the tube? Look very hard.
Is there no fluid there at all but it is everywhere is shouldn't be?
4
If there are NO bubbles but water everywhere, then the radiator could be split. Check for signs.
If there are bubbles then one/both of the gaskets are gone.
5
Turn engine off. Look for bubbles still. If there are some, gasket(s) gone.

API had my engine, loose from the car, delivered to them by me. They pulled the heads, cleaned/flatness checked the deck surfaces, added (at my request) studs instead of bolts, put it all back together for £800. The studs I think were about £150.
If you have not taken the engine out before, it is a tedious job and can be hard on your own.
Above all talk to David at API for some common sense. He will not rip you off, he is the only engine builder to put his Company and personal reputation onto this Site, he has too much to loose if it goes wrong; You will get a good job done.
He was happy to do this to my engine knowing that I would thrash it in hill climb competition.

Bite the bullet, leaving it can do not good to the engine.

tweenierob

If the rad doesnt get hot it is more likely be the thermostat.

Bottom rad hose - fastens onto the thermostat housing. two 10mm bolts.

Remove the thermost, boil the kettle.. place the thermostat into a large Cup and pour the boiling water into the cup. within about 10seconds the thermostat should open.

Rob

tweenierob

P.s. i have done a head gasket with the engine still in place. By the time i had stripped everything down i would have been bolting the engine back in place had i removed it.

Deffo not worth the hassle of doing in situ, big pain in the ***.

Rob

vava voom

iTrader: (6)

Thanks guys, ive just took it out and tried 911 test and the water is comeing out of the bottle next to the battrey, plus i have noticed water in the engine ................i need to get api( davids) number please as i need my car boo hoo, thanks.......radiator still remains cold though!

tweenierob

ok...
water in engine? explain...

water will **** out of the bottle next to the battery if the thermostat stays closed.

Ie. no rad flow so engine will keep heating up water until it overheats.

Rob

vava voom

iTrader: (6)

The oil looks like it is mixing with water..

vava voom

iTrader: (6)

Hello does anyonme who how long it should take to do the head gasket ?? i mean am i looking at 1-2 days or a week? thanks

tweenierob

In that Case

If there is substantial cross contamination then it is gasket time.... I would however take a look at the thermostat as well as possible cause.

Rob

911

Someone who has done them before will do the whole job in 2 days IMHO.
David's phone number at work:
Check www.apiengines.co.uk
He will be there tomorrow, might even respond to this email.
Tell him '911' sent you! (that means you get a good cup of coffee when you get there.)
911

tweenierob

IMHO it is less than a days work, even for a intermediate.

Rob

vava voom

iTrader: (6)

Thanks guys....911 does david throw in a chocolate chip biccy too?

vava voom

iTrader: (6)

Doea anyone know if api can supply me with a head gasket kit to get my car fixed??