RE: Possible Head Gasket Problems.

[Frosty 0]

Hi All,

This is my first post, so big hi to everyone.

I have an OBD1, 95N VR6, 95K Highline that I have had for a number of years. Problem is that the coolant level is going down rather quickly. I haven't measured the amount exactly but it is quite considerable, say 250ml every 20 miles.

I have replaced the Aux water pump, thermostat housing, radiator and a number of hose clips (to jubilees). I have now noticed some steaming up inside which I presume is the Heater Matrix.

Problem is that I think that I am fixing the symptoms and not the cause.

I have pressure tested the coolant overflow to 1 Bar and could see no obvious leaks, although the pressure was obviously dropping. I also noticed afterwards I had a slight misfire (coolant being forced back into head?).

The coolant hoses do get very hot and very pressured (unable to squeeze together). I also notice that the coolant "pulses" back into the overflow.

The first question really is whether there are any other tests I can run? A friend of mine did a "sniff" test on the coolant with nothing obvious and there is no "mayo" anywhere.

I am pretty sure that this is the head gasket....so the next question is can anyone recommend a reasonable place to take it to be fixed; I am in the Bedford area? Perhaps I should do the chains at the same time?

Any advice/help is appreciated.

Frosty

[b19drg 0]

PM tonyvrsc he is the man you need to speak to. an welcome along ,

[Frosty 0]

Nice one bud. Will do

[dman78 1]

if you're handy with tools then becoming a premium member lets you have access to the knowledge vault otherwise tonyvrsc is the man to speak to mate

[VR6Pete 1,455]

Tony is coming mine at weekend do my headgasket / chains and alot more

[Frosty 0]

Cheers dman-vrt

I will have a look in the vault but I think that if it is the HG then it is gunna be outside of my skill set. Especially if I want it back on the road this year!

[Frosty 0]

Hi VR6Pete,

It would be good to hear how you get on.

"and more" ......I always fancied a supercharger.....

[dman78 1]

trust me mate it shows you step by step with pictures,i did mine but left the clutch and chains up to tony

[Frosty 0]

I must admit it does look quite do-able looking at the guide in the vault. But it often looks easy when someone else is doing it!

I need to look into what is worth doing at the same time 8-) (e.g. chains, clutch etc)

Any advice appreciated....

[dman78 1]

gearbox comes off for chains job so while thats off you might aswell get clutch done at the same time,thats what i had done but doing the head wasnt hard at all

[Frosty 0]

If I get some time I think I might have a go at the HG, just hope that there is no warping.

The chains can probably wait then as there is no rattling (yet) and the clutch is not slipping.

Is the stock HG okay?

[p0u1 14]

wow another vr in bedford, look out for a golf cl with vr6 markered on the back lol, i got a mate who loves his vr6 in kempston, he will probley do your chains and head gasket for a good price, it is a big job though, send me a PM if you want to get in touch with me or him about it

[ashmk3 0]

Head gasket replacing is simple really asking as you have some mechanical knowledge I dido mine and it's fairly straight forward and I didn't have any warpage I just changed it due to doing the engine conversion so it was piece of mind. But as long as you don't move anything once the heads off it will go back on as easy as it came off good luck.

[Frosty 0]

Cheers ashmk3, that seems to be the shout....lets just hope that it comes off okay....