Got slow coolant loss on my 1.9 PD 130 AVF in the Superb - about 250ml in 4000 miles.  I managed to see a little coming out the overflow, so I've changed the expansion tank and the cap.  My local specialist had it hooked up to a chemical test for a while but found no evidence of HG failure (though I understand PD's don't always fail hard enough for this test to be conclusive).

 

Hopefully the expansion bottle / cap will resolve it, but if not I guess I'm looking at head gasket plus skim etc.  Am interested to see from people who've had this done:

 

1) what mileage they were at and how bad it was failing

2) how much the work cost, where and what was done for the price

3) whether it solved the problem

4) whether there were any other problems with the engine after the work

 

Be great to hear from you.  

I've done a few head gaskets myself, so not sure about pricing (would guess at around the 500 mark). You should budget for new head bolts, gasket, oil and filter and coolant.  If the timing belt is nearly done you might as well get that done too.

 

Heads usually only warp when they have been overheated - sounds like this isn't the case with your car so a skim may not be needed.  People have always told me that they always need a skim but I've never found this to be the case when the head is inspected after removal.

 

I've driven an astra mk4 for thousands of miles with a head gasket 'going' but not gone - I used to have a 5 litre container of water in the boot just in case.  No issues after job was eventually done.

 

There are other reasons for coolant loss though - have you got any mayo (coolant + oil) in the oil or oil in the coolant?

 

This is generic advice though, no experience of your car or engine.  Have you thought about giving it a go yourself?

Edited 5 April, 201511 yr by jme808

Thanks for the post, sorry I missed it.

 

It seems (touch wood) that new expansion vessel + cap has resolved the issue for me for now, so I'm hoping not to have to go near the head gasket. 

Am particularly interested to see how the car goes over the next 10K miles - it is having cam belt then so that would be the ideal time to do it.

 

I am really a bit of a beginner with mechanics and taking the top off the engine scares the ... out of me.  Happy to do stuff around the edges but for now I'll leave the serious spanner work to people who've done it before.

 

I think once the car is due it's next cam belt (which would take it to 200K) if I still have the old girl I will give it a go myself as a cheap (if I make a mistake) introduction to cam belt DIY!