Head Cylinder Gasket Repair -Casa or Autoshop?

[Skidrow]

Hello. My mechanic diagnosed that I need to have my lynx's head cylinder gasket replaced because the engine is draining water from the lynx's reserve tank every now and then. The mechanic also advised that there might be a need to machine shop the cylinder block. Is it better to have it serviced at the casa or just some credible autoshops around? Will it have any effect or bearing on the engine if the job done was not good? Please help again. Thanks.

OT: The lynx recently had an overheat and this was (as the mechanic said) one of the cause of the problem. TIA ...

[OTEP]

Losing coolant does not necessarily mean a head problem.

Try to search the other overheat threads here.

Do you see vapor/smoke coming out of the tailpipe when the engine is at operating temp?

Start with the simple things first like your radiator cap (it caused the coolant loss and overheat in our MB100).

If it really is a head problem, a reputable shop or mechanic can fix that (e.g. speedyfix, autotechnika, etc.). The casa is a safe choice (they can offer a longer warranty) but you'll be paying up front. Not all casas are the same so better read the reviews at the local Ford Club forum ( www.fordclubph.com ?).

[Galactus]

The surest sign of a cylinder head gasket problem is pag naghalo na ang tubig at langis sa radiator, kulay Milo sya, at mabilis mag-overheat ang makina.

Kung malinis pa ang tubig sa rad, then look for other possible causes of coolant loss (butas na rad, leak sa hose, tagas sa water pump, etc). At any rate, if you can afford it, go casa. Otherwise, kahit talyer kaya yan. But I'm sure, isa-subcon ng casa ang machining, kasi bihira ang casang may sariling machine shop.

[Skidrow]

Losing coolant does not necessarily mean a head problem.

Try to search the other overheat threads here.

Do you see vapor/smoke coming out of the tailpipe when the engine is at operating temp?

Start with the simple things first like your radiator cap (it caused the coolant loss and overheat in our MB100).

If it really is a head problem, a reputable shop or mechanic can fix that (e.g. speedyfix, autotechnika, etc.). The casa is a safe choice (they can offer a longer warranty) but you'll be paying up front. Not all casas are the same so better read the reviews at the local Ford Club forum ( www.fordclubph.com ?).

Thanks sir Otep.. I dont see vapor coming out of my tailpipe.. I also had my radioator and radiator hoses checked for any leaks..And the lynx does not overheat anymore (after repairing the hose). The autoshop I went to quoted me with a 2,000+ labor which will take about half a day. I am not decided on having this repaired because I need to have more opinions and feedbacks from fellow tsikoteers. And I am skeptical about the outcome of the repair at the moment.. Thanks again for your inputs...

[OTEP]

If it's any consolation, I drove a vehicle with a damaged head gasket for more than 5 years without any major incident. It just ate coolant and oil from time to time.

Sold it without having the problem repaired.

[Skidrow]

Thanks sir Otep and sir Galactus..at least I will have peace of mind because I know it is not a major concern as of the moment...

[4JGtootsie]

Skidrow,

How severe was your overheating?
Saan sa gauge umabot?
How long was it that way?

[rogie]

sir, baka naman punong puno yung resevoir tank mo kaya umaapaw.
is this happen after mo magtravel tapos off ng engine?

ganyan din 7g galant ko kapag yung level ng water sa resevoir tank almost nasa max level... pag off ko ng engine umaapaw... kaya i make sure nasa mid lang ng max and low yung water level ko... ayus solved na.

[Skidrow]

Skidrow,

How severe was your overheating?
Saan sa gauge umabot?
How long was it that way?

Sir umabot sa pinakadulo (sa may "H") but it was only for about 5 mins. I stopped to let it cool down. Nung malamig na yung makina, tsinek ko yung tubig sa radiator at sa reserve ubos na kasi may leak pala sa isang radiator hose sa baba. I had it the hose fixed and the radiator overhauled.

From then on, hindi naman na nag ooverheat pero napansin ko lang lagi ako nagdadagdag ng tubig sa reserve tank for every trip kasi nagbabawas. May phobia na kasi ako kaya yun ang una ko ng tsinetsek.

*sir rogie: hindi naman puno yung reserve tank..usually, halfway lang yung water level. But after every trip (say 10 kms), nakakalahati na yung laman ng reserve tank. HIndi naman siya dati ganito prior to the overheating. Nung nag overheat saka na lumabas ang ganito problema.

Thanks.

[joey]

Sir umabot sa pinakadulo (sa may "H") but it was only for about 5 mins. I stopped to let it cool down. Nung malamig na yung makina, tsinek ko yung tubig sa radiator at sa reserve ubos na kasi may leak pala sa isang radiator hose sa baba. I had it the hose fixed and the radiator overhauled.

From then on, hindi naman na nag ooverheat pero napansin ko lang lagi ako nagdadagdag ng tubig sa reserve tank for every trip kasi nagbabawas. May phobia na kasi ako kaya yun ang una ko ng tsinetsek.

sign of minor problem sa cylinderhead gasket ung dagdag bawas ng tubig kung walang ibang leak sa cooling system. dun sa 1st overheat mo na damaged ung gasket ngkaroon na ng minor leak between the block and the cylinderhead kadalasan nyan dun sa gitna ng no.2 at 3 cylinder (piston) nasunog na ung part ng gasket dun kaya may singaw na, upon expansion ng piston 2 n 3, may malapit na water port dun kaya natutulak plabas ung tubig sa radiator thru reservoir. katagalan palala ng palala yan maslalo na pagnakaaircon ka parati, paikli ng paikli ang travel mo na kaylangan maglagay ka ng 2big at sa mga susunod mo na overheat palaki ng palaki ang warp ng cylinder head malamang na hindi na kaya ng reface ng machineshop dahil makapal na ang dapat ishave nila u have to replace cylinderhead na (new or surplus) major sign ng busted cylhead gasket: may oil slick un water sa radiator (pag remove ng rad cap visual check m ung rad cap gasket kung may oil at madulas na siya hawakan) , bubbles sa oil dipstick, remove radiator cap at irev m ung engine dahan dahan tumatapon ung tubig sa radiator.
ung milo na ang tubig at may white smoke sa exhaust pagrev engine, sign na alam na ng may-ari ng auto nadapat nuon pa pnagawa ung cylinderhead gasket kaso hindi pinagagawa hehe jok lang sa mga ngsabi... patawa lang ...peace mga bro!

[Skidrow]

sign of minor problem sa cylinderhead gasket ung dagdag bawas ng tubig kung walang ibang leak sa cooling system. dun sa 1st overheat mo na damaged ung gasket ngkaroon na ng minor leak between the block and the cylinderhead kadalasan nyan dun sa gitna ng no.2 at 3 cylinder (piston) nasunog na ung part ng gasket dun kaya may singaw na, upon expansion ng piston 2 n 3, may malapit na water port dun kaya natutulak plabas ung tubig sa radiator thru reservoir. katagalan palala ng palala yan maslalo na pagnakaaircon ka parati, paikli ng paikli ang travel mo na kaylangan maglagay ka ng 2big at sa mga susunod mo na overheat palaki ng palaki ang warp ng cylinder head malamang na hindi na kaya ng reface ng machineshop dahil makapal na ang dapat ishave nila u have to replace cylinderhead na (new or surplus) major sign ng busted cylhead gasket: may oil slick un water sa radiator (pag remove ng rad cap visual check m ung rad cap gasket kung may oil at madulas na siya hawakan) , bubbles sa oil dipstick, remove radiator cap at irev m ung engine dahan dahan tumatapon ung tubig sa radiator.
ung milo na ang tubig at may white smoke sa exhaust pagrev engine, sign na alam na ng may-ari ng auto nadapat nuon pa pnagawa ung cylinderhead gasket kaso hindi pinagagawa hehe jok lang sa mga ngsabi... patawa lang ...peace mga bro!

sir Joey thanks..

I noticed that even if the engine is not running, when I open the radiator cap, unti unting nag ooverflow yung tubig at tumatapon.

any idea how much is the "actual" labor costs and the cylinder head gasket replacement itself? I'll try to visit some of the shops mentioned here so that I can get a better idea. Again, thanks.

[alwayz_yummy]

see my sig, 2c-turbo, nagastos ko 6000(kasi may valve lapping,seating and clearance

sa garahe ko pinagawa, ako bumili ng parts sa banawe...pasabay mo na ang mga dapat ma-sabay: t-belt, tensoiner, oil seals para 1 labor nalang..tiwala ko sa mekaniko namin,e...

for 2c-t:
head gasket: orig(its a must na original!)1,300++ AGL/replacement: 650(pero hanggang kailan kaya tatagal?)

shellac sealant(ung parag varnish) <150pesos.. i prefer na may ganito, kaysa sa advice nilang kahit wala na...

t-belt: 500->contitech-germany(mahaba t-belt ng 2c-turbo!), common ang gates brand, pero ingat ka sa fake..ok din ang gates...basta after 2-3 years palitan mo na, wag mo base sa km-reading..

labor > depende sa usapan nyu.. basta di mahigit 3000-4000 siguro yan...

kung papasok mo sa shop dalhin mo sa may pangalan, at least may habol ka...except rapide, ha...

[burjegol]

tol,
tio check lang kung me tama ang cylinder head gasket mo, paandaring mo makina till it reache the normal operating tempeature, yung bumukas ang thermostat sa water cooling system. patayin ang makina, while the radiator cap is not in position (i.e. radiator is open), start the engine. pag me bumulwak na tubig sa radiator, me tama na cylinder head gasket mo.

[baludoy]

automatic na ba mag-wawarp ang cylinder head oras na nag-overheat?

[4JGtootsie]

How is the movement of your temperature?
Are they sure na walang other leaks except the c. gasket?
Ang sakit naman magpalit ng gasket and machine shop only to find out na may maliit na butas lang ang isa sa mga hoses or bumigay o maluwag na clamp lang.
Bawasan muna ang coffee and avoid long trips until you have confirmed the problem.

[speedyfix]

number one question you should ask is if the shop has a torque wrench. assuming they do, ask if they know the cylinder head torque specs and procedure for your head.

if they cannot answer you then leave and don't go back...

a botched job will make the engine run even worse than when you brought it in.

[joey]

sir Joey thanks..

I noticed that even if the engine is not running, when I open the radiator cap, unti unting nag ooverflow yung tubig at tumatapon.

any idea how much is the "actual" labor costs and the cylinder head gasket replacement itself? I'll try to visit some of the shops mentioned here so that I can get a better idea. Again, thanks.

kung replaced lang ng cylinderhead gasket P1.2-1.5T kadalasan ang labor about gasket dko kbisado ang lynx sa toyota or mits kadalasan P280-400 ang replacement (federal), kung skali reface ng head nsa P700-1,200.
pwede m na isabay ung oilseal ng cam nd timingbelt. mgandang idea ni speedyfix abt torque wrench,daming mekaniko gngawang torque wrench ung braso nila hehe

[speedyfix]

yup, mas makakasama pa yun kung wala...

[alwayz_yummy]

totoo yun... mahalaga torque wrench pag makina na... para pantay ang kapit ng mga tornilyo....

[Skidrow]

Many thanks. Sa tingin ko kailangan ko nga magbawas ng kape muna at nauuna na kasi ang nerbiyos...

I'll just like this problem in the meantime.. because I noticed that
-there are no bubbles forming when I open the radiator cap when the engine is on
-there is no "milo" mixture in the radiator or even in the reserve tank.
-wala din white smole sa tailpipe...
-yung tubig na dinadagdag ko naman sa reserve tank eh pakonti konti lang..


OT: However, i did notice (lately) na may nangangamoy gas sa may bandang harapan (under the hood) everytime I go home from a trip. I think there is no connection between this and the head gasket but i am not sure..I cleaned the sparkplugs already and so far they are working fine ...