cullend1

Driving home tonight and temp gauge shot up into the red. Got home and had a look under the bonnet (not that I know what I am looking at!) and there was an amount of fluid on the chassis, front near side. AA bloke came out and tested no obvious leaks, fluid still in the system, fans working ok. Just spoke to Richard and he suspects head gasket! He is coming to take a look tomorrow. Could be a really expensive month!

Tidgy

check all pipes and also the joint at the top of the rad.

cullend1

confirmed, head gasket gone.... will be out of action for 3-4 weeks.

Budgie

iTrader: (4)

gutted for you

cullend1

Some slightly better news... Richard reckons he can fit me in on 3rd June, assuming I can get all the parts... so should be able to join for the 8th.... however will be taking it gentle! Keep fingers crossed....

fpan

iTrader: (11)

What caused it though? It seems as though you had a coolant leak, did you find out from where?

cullend1

Looks like it was from the expansion tank. It was on that side, below the tank and also "splatter" over the black plastic cover behind it, no more than a cup full of coolant. On the test the expansion tank was bubbling away with no leaks coming from anywhere else.

R12CYS

How much did you pay in the end for the repair?

cullend1

I spent about £2.5k in the end. This was not just on the head gasket. I replaced an upgraded the studs, flywheel, clutch and radiator and skimmed. I think the head gasket was about £1.5k all in. I can get the details if you want. The labour was the biggest part so if you can DIY you can halve the cost.