Damage caused by blown head gasket

Jun 28th, 2003, 15:43

In easter my car overheated due to a blown head gasket.

As I am at university I havent been able to dismantle the car until now.

Upon doing so I found that one of the cylinders was full of water. It appears that a large amount of water entered the cylinder and mixed with the oil.

This has caused rusting around the top of the cylinder linings and surrounding areas.

It is possible that there is further damage within the big end and sump due to this water.

I would like to know how I sholud now proceed. In particular would it be wise to replace the cylinder linings and piston rings, and to check for rust within the big end. Also what is the most suitable action to remedy the damage.

The other option would be to clean the cylinders head etc and to put everything back together.

some advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Jun 28th, 2003, 19:19

http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL188/...8/23744414.jpg

Chris,
Ideally you would strip it and check the parts and replace if needed. The trouble is the parts would probably cost more than the car is worth. The 300 series cars aren`t worth a lot these days.
Personally I would fill the bores up with oil for a day or so to soften up the rust and then clean up the bores and hope for the best.
If yours is a Renault (wet liner) engine, make sure you clamp the cylinder liners down before trying to turn the engine over or you may unseat the liners.
As long as the engine can be turned easily by hand once you have cleaned it up you will probably OK.
Change just the oil, then run the engine gently for 100m or so and then change the oil AND filter.
Do NOT put the head back on without having it skimmed first, the face will almost certainly be out of true.
A good check of the cooling system would be in order as the engine may have overheated, causing the head gasket to fail in the first place.
Good luck, Colin.

Jun 28th, 2003, 22:05

Thanks for the advice, I wasnt too keen on taking more parts out. At the moment it seems more of my engine is on my garage work top than under the bonnet.

Cheers.

Jun 28th, 2003, 15:43	#1
ChrisJMiles Guest Location:	Damage caused by blown head gasket In easter my car overheated due to a blown head gasket. As I am at university I havent been able to dismantle the car until now. Upon doing so I found that one of the cylinders was full of water. It appears that a large amount of water entered the cylinder and mixed with the oil. This has caused rusting around the top of the cylinder linings and surrounding areas. It is possible that there is further damage within the big end and sump due to this water. I would like to know how I sholud now proceed. In particular would it be wise to replace the cylinder linings and piston rings, and to check for rust within the big end. Also what is the most suitable action to remedy the damage. The other option would be to clean the cylinders head etc and to put everything back together. some advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

Jun 28th, 2003, 19:19	#2
Colin Shepherd Guest Location:	RE: Damage caused by blown head gasket http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL188/...8/23744414.jpg Chris, Ideally you would strip it and check the parts and replace if needed. The trouble is the parts would probably cost more than the car is worth. The 300 series cars aren`t worth a lot these days. Personally I would fill the bores up with oil for a day or so to soften up the rust and then clean up the bores and hope for the best. If yours is a Renault (wet liner) engine, make sure you clamp the cylinder liners down before trying to turn the engine over or you may unseat the liners. As long as the engine can be turned easily by hand once you have cleaned it up you will probably OK. Change just the oil, then run the engine gently for 100m or so and then change the oil AND filter. Do NOT put the head back on without having it skimmed first, the face will almost certainly be out of true. A good check of the cooling system would be in order as the engine may have overheated, causing the head gasket to fail in the first place. Good luck, Colin.

Jun 28th, 2003, 22:05	#3
ChrisJMiles Guest Location:	RE: Damage caused by blown head gasket Thanks for the advice, I wasnt too keen on taking more parts out. At the moment it seems more of my engine is on my garage work top than under the bonnet. Cheers.

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