Fabia Mk1 1.4p 8v Cooling system problem

[sepulchrave]

Just now, TMB said:

 

Just been out again and managed to free it

 

Sometimes you just have to commit to extreme violence as the last resort.

[TMB]

Just now, sepulchrave said:

 

Sometimes you just have to commit to extreme violence as the last resort.

 

Indeed 🔨

[TMB]

And it's off.

 

 

Edited 30 January, 2020 by TMB

[sepulchrave]

That head gasket has been blowing for quite some time judging by the state of the mating faces.

[Breezy_Pete]

I'm a little envious Lee; I love getting that down and dirty inside engines!

Be patient and meticulous on the rebuild.

[TMB]

36 minutes ago, Wino said:

I'm a little envious Lee; I love getting that down and dirty inside engines!

Be patient and meticulous on the rebuild.

 

Haha, yes I'll be very careful with the rebuild.

 

Just cleaned up the manifold gasket face...

 

 

Head face has some pitting but it's not very deep, so hoping the skimming will take care of that...

 

 

 

 

 

[TMB]

1 hour ago, sepulchrave said:

That head gasket has been blowing for quite some time judging by the state of the mating faces.

 

Yeah, no doubt.

Edited 30 January, 2020 by TMB

[sepulchrave]

One of those inlet valves looks suspiciously clean!

[TMB]

8 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

One of those inlet valves looks suspiciously clean!

 

It's just where I was wiping when I was cleaning the head. As you can see, it wasn't like that when I took it off...

 

 

 

Edited 30 January, 2020 by TMB

[TMB]

Never had a head skimmed before, do you have to remove the valves, studs etc? I want to put new valve stem oils seals on it so will probably remove the valves anyway.

 

Do they go through some kind of wash afterwards to remove swarf etc?

[sepulchrave]

The machine shop will generally get the head set up on blocks and clamp it to the machine table without removing anything, and yes they will clean it after flycutting it. You might as well get them to replace the stem seals as well since they'll be able to do it much quicker than you.

[TMB]

OK, thanks Sep.

[Alexandru]

That looks so similar with the problem I've had. I'm sorry to see this. 😢

[TMB]

1 hour ago, Alexandru said:

That looks so similar with the problem I've had. I'm sorry to see this. 😢

 

Bloody hell Alex! Good to see you around! 😁

 

It was getting pressure into the cooling circuit from the combustion side, which is how a lot of MPI heads/gaskets fail. There is no water in the oil, so hopefully a skim and new gasket with meticulous reassembly will sort it out.

 

 

[TMB]

Head after skimming. Still looks a bit shit but the guy said it will be OK. I found a lot of swarf remaining in some galleries, so will be putting the air gun on it. Cost £60 for the skim and to install new valve stem oil seals.

 

 

Before skim...

Edited 5 February, 2020 by TMB

[Alexandru]

Please don't make the same mistake I did. Check the piston rings and replace them if they look worn. 

[TMB]

What was wrong with your piston rings Alex? My engine runs great and uses no oil, so I'll just be putting the head back on. It's only done 70,000 miles.

Edited 5 February, 2020 by TMB

[Alexandru]

Heh, it's nothing wrong yet. I wish I would've checked the piston rings when the engine was out of the engine, that's pretty much all. It's still able to reach top speed after 20years.  

[TMB]

Haha

[Alexandru]

Yes, the car will still have to be in use for at least 2 more years. So far, it did a decent job. I hope you fix yours. It's virtually indestructible this engine.

[TMB]

1 minute ago, Alexandru said:

Yes, the car will still have to be in use for at least 2 more years. So far, it did a decent job. I hope you fix yours. It's virtually indestructible this engine.

 

Glad you still have your MPI. I was driving a MK2 Fabia 1.6 Sport today and I prefer the power delivery of the MPI. Much more torquey.

[Alexandru]

Yes, sir. Exactly what I was talking when comparing 1.4 16V with 1.4 8v. It's (D)OHC vs OHV. 

[TMB]

^ Yep 🙂

[sepulchrave]

Looks good, £60 is a KILLER price as well for all that work, would've been nice if they'd put it through the parts washer though.

[TMB]

Just now, sepulchrave said:

Looks good, £60 is a KILLER price as well for all that work, would've been nice if they'd put it through the parts washer though.

 

I wasn't sure whether the price was good or not but you know better than me about engine stuff, so if you say it's good, it must be good  I checked to make sure that he had fitted the new valve seals and he definitely has. But yes, cleaning could have been better.