Is It Terminal?

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

Was running up the pug today and noticed a drip coming from the back of the engine.

 

i would say its in the middle above the big nut,looks like it might have a crack

 

what are my options? can this be repaired or is it new block time?

[dcc 855]

pitchers

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

this not my engine,just as an example, where its circled is where its coming from on my heap

[dcc 855]

That is the front of the engine, what is dripping exactly?

 

It sounds like it could just need 'nipping up' if its a bit of oil. That is below the Oil Pressure Sensor.

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

apologies, at the back of the engine bit in them squares, not the front

Edited April 9, 2014 by erbs

[Anthony 1,003]

That is around the place where the blocks tend to crack sadly.

 

Clean the area up and inspect for cracks and a better idea of exactly where the coolant is coming from.

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

where circled is where its leaking from one of the squareish blocks

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

would it be better to stick another lump in? does miles have any spare?

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

i think the best option would be to put in another engine, want to keep this one as its on a B plate non sunroof and i have grown fond of her

[welshpug 1,661]

it might be something as simple as a leaking HG where the coolant is seeping down the bolt threads.

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

ok will get it on the ramps tomorrow and have a clean up and see whats occurring

[GLPoomobile 958]

HG, as WP suggested, is a definite possibility. My Mi leaks like a running tap from the front above the oil pressure sender, but in my case ot's due to an uneven block meaning it won't seal properly.

Edited April 9, 2014 by GLPoomobile

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

OK had a look, and it seems to be running from the head bolt as the others are OK and this one showed signs of rust and scale

 

and it has suddenly become hard to start,maybe water is getting in the cylinder too as well,oil is ok

 

so its time to whip the head off

 

would it be better for me to take the head off with the exhaust manifold attached and then remove the manifold on my bench once the head is off?

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Yes you can remove the head with the exhaust manifold still attached then remove the manifold later.

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

easier for me as the bolts look rather rusted and can extract these bolts in comfort with beer in hand

[kyepan 291]

i have a spare 1.9 engine, only removed a month ago, dry stored. etc.

[GLPoomobile 958]

If removing the head with the manifold attached, just be extra careful to lift it off evenly so as not to disturb the liners. I don't know how easy it is to disturb them, just that I was super paranoid that I might do so when I took the head off my old 1.6. It's a double edged sword as the manifold will give you something extra to grab hold of and a bit more leverage to break the seal, but it will also tip the centre of gravity towards the back meaning you might tip the head backwards as you lift it away. But being extra careful is no doubt much easier than farting about with the manifold nuts with head in place.

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

all i can do is take my time and have the book of lies next to me and see how it goes

 

if i do it methodically then hopefully it will be ok

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

The liners generally take a bit more disturbing than lifting the head off. I have done a head gasket many times on an alloy XU without any liner problems.

[jdt 6]

If the engine has not had the head off for years then the liners are generally well stuck in position and difficult to disturb. If the engine has recently been apart then it is a different matter as I know to my cost!! I was subsequently advised to stick new liner seals in place with Wellseal - no idea if tis is good procedure but I have used it with no problems.

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

We'll it 28 years old so things are gonna be glued

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

well the engine is goosed as its got a big hole where they notoriously rot at the back of the block

 

its an a very early lump so could i stick in a later type 1.6 engine?

[Telf 224 2 Cars]

Hi erbs,

 

Im no engine expert and I don't know if you got an answer. However I swapped a block last week CTI for a GTI (different engine codes although I forget what!).

 

The physical swapping was fine- the engine mounts are all the same, Different head/block combos will effect power output but there are guys on the forum that know a lot more than me about that issue.

 

The only issue I found was the cam belt covers which are different on some blocks- so if you buy a block you may not be able to use your old covers

 

Hope you sort it out

 

P