Head gasket change. . ? (poosibly on a C20XE Corsa, but I've not said.)

[Kaison]

I've been contemplating changing the head gasket as I only brought the car a few weeks ago and the previous owner, nor I know the history of the engine.
Checked on Ebay and seen gasket kits and ARP head bolts, but not sure if it's all worth over £200 as I'm on a tight budget. . .
Also curious of other, cheaper alternatives.
Please advise! Thanks!

[Tathan]

Cheaper alternative - don't!

[Paul]

Cheaper alternative - don't!

Crazy post.

Why change the head gasket?

If you want to do something that should be done, change the cambelt.

[Kaison]

It's unknown mileage on the engine though, don't want it to go on me. . . Also got a strong petrol smell in the old engine oil, but no sign of coolant/mayo in the oil, although slight mayo in coolant. It's a '93 GM head so likely porous? - Just thought it would be better done safe than sorry and just wanted to know what I should be paying for these things and if it's worth going for the expensive kits over something cheaper and perhaps more commonly used.

I've thought about cambelt, was thinking about getting one of the DAYCO kits which cost around £80-90 - Again, unsure if it's worth the price and again which version would be suitable.

I'm sorry if these are stupid questions but I've tried using the search feature and it hasn't come up with much help. And I just want the health of my engine to stay intact.

[Vinci]

If it's not broken why fix it(?) applies to this strongly....

[Vinci]

It's unknown mileage on the engine though, don't want it to go on me. . . Also got a strong petrol smell in the old engine oil, but no sign of coolant/mayo in the oil, although slight mayo in coolant. It's a '93 GM head so likely porous? - Just thought it would be better done safe than sorry and just wanted to know what I should be paying for these things and if it's worth going for the expensive kits over something cheaper and perhaps more commonly used.

I've thought about cambelt, was thinking about getting one of the DAYCO kits which cost around £80-90 - Again, unsure if it's worth the price and again which version would be suitable.

I'm sorry if these are stupid questions but I've tried using the search feature and it hasn't come up with much help. And I just want the health of my engine to stay intact.

These Dayco kits have a pretty daft water pump (plastic impellor), wouldn't burn my fingers on it... recently experienced the effects of that....

Then the mayo might be just due to coolant being in there for ages, why not first flush it?

And about the petrol smell, if it's the head gasket that's gone first thing that usually happens is exhaust gas in the cooling system, for which garages have a sniffer kit that uses contrast fluid to prove that. If it is discoloured then the gasket is gone for certain....

If you're on a tight budget I recommend to try a few things and make priorities. But whatever you fix, fix it with proven parts.

[Kaison]

The coolant was clear when I brought it, so assume it had been cleared to hide it.
Will get a sniff test done tomorrow if possible and then see where to go.

Any hints as to which other kits to use for Cambelt changes? - Thanks.

[Paul]

Pop to Vauxhall or Euro car parts.

[Tathan]

dayco are one of the best kits you can get, just buy the belt instead of the water pump kit.

[MSG]

It's unknown mileage on the engine though, don't want it to go on me. . . Also got a strong petrol smell in the old engine oil, but no sign of coolant/mayo in the oil, although slight mayo in coolant. It's a '93 GM head so likely porous? - Just thought it would be better done safe than sorry and just wanted to know what I should be paying for these things and if it's worth going for the expensive kits over something cheaper and perhaps more commonly used.

I've thought about cambelt, was thinking about getting one of the DAYCO kits which cost around £80-90 - Again, unsure if it's worth the price and again which version would be suitable.

as Paul said why change it if it is not warranted, the chances are if you do and spend some money then if you haven't got a good deal of experience and have not done many head gaskets, then it is more than likely your new HG could well fail sooner than if you just let it go as it is, just change the coolant and -put a good quality anti-freeze with corrosion inhibitors, and do your cam belt instead.

[Kaison]

So if Dayco is a good brand for belts and tensioners, where should I look for the waterpump?

[Tathan]

If you can find one with a metal impeller, the use it. Don't think you will anymore though, they're all plastic.

QH are good [/predictable tathan response]

[Davey j]

Try Autovaux for HG set and cam belt/water pump kits. I've never had any drama with any of their stuff. If sniffer test comes back clean, do the cam belt, idlers and water pump and maybe give it a service but leave the HG well alone. Engines genuinely are never quite the same once you've ripped them apart. It would be quite rare not to find a small amount of warping on the head too so you'll end up spending 25-60 sheets getting that skimmed to ensure flatness. Then you've got coolant at £8 a litre (I may have that price a little on the high side though).

Fuel smell could also be down to it running rich due to a failed Coolant Temp Sensor.

Check all that stuff before thinking about a HG swap.

[Paul]

Coolant is about £10 for 5 litres on trade club
Thats the 'red' stuff

[wkdkris]

sorry to steal post, but i was going to change a head gasket that ISNT gone.... to be safe rather then sorry when i have to skim the head... but you lot advise against that????

[Tathan]

Yes. I'd advise against skimming the head too... even if it's a little bit bent, 10 **** off big bolts tend to unbend it.

[Vinci]

Right, all the skimming also ends up in higher compression ratio, and larger interference overlap. I'd never have it skimmed unless it's damaged..