Technical Head Gasket Failure

[cryptixabarth]

I have the sad news that My 100HP Head gasket failed, luckily I noticed it as it was drinking Coolant fairly frequently. The garage confirmed that the Head has warped and the gasket failed. causing coolant to go into one of the cylinders and it had started to go in another. Luckily no other damage was caused. But the head is being skimmed. so the bill im looking at is about £360 for it to be back on the road. This was not the Christmas I was expecting

 

[SB1500]

£360 seems like it would be worth it to get her back on the road. But it must be said, after needing repaired once it mightn't be the same as if it had never broken at all.

Did you regularly replace the coolant etc to stop it from overheating or corroding inside?

We've just had a 2004 Corsa C ready for scrap because of the same problem.

But in your case you've a slick 100HP which aren't too common so my opinion is get saving and get her fixed.

Hope this isn't the end for your Panda! Keep us updated on any repairs you get done and quotes as members will tell you if it's reasonable.

 

[JD82]

At £360 it is well worth saving, however I would be inclined to sell it once the HG is done. What made the HG fail in the first place? I would be worried about blocked waterways etc. Has it ever over heated?

 

[varesecrazy]

At £360 it is well worth saving, however I would be inclined to sell it once the HG is done. What made the HG fail in the first place? I would be worried about blocked waterways etc. Has it ever over heated?

There is a train of thought that all gaskets AGE. Very few are under the pressure/ stress of a Head Gasket.
Ive had lots of 1.0,1.1 & 1.2 FIRE hg go.
Never needed to skim one. And theyve lived again for years to come.
Charlie

 

[Wee Smurf]

I had a gasket crack in my old car. I caught it early and it was a simple gasket change and off I went.

 

[cryptixabarth]

That's the thing I dont know precisely at the moment what cause it to go the mechanic just said that the head warped and cause d the gasket to fail. The car was serviced regular and until this year it has been done at least twice a year, the coolant has been changed according to service schedule etc.
I changed the water pump when I did the cam-belt change not last year but the year before so coolant was changed then, and most recently when I had the leak from the coolant reservoir but it was bleed etc so I couldn't imagine that caused it. Cant afford to change it at the mo but I think after this I get her back up and running and then focus on getting another car.

 

[varesecrazy]

That's the thing I dont know precisely at the moment what cause it to go the mechanic just said that the head warped and cause d the gasket to fail. The car was serviced regular and until this year it has been done at least twice a year, the coolant has been changed according to service schedule etc.
I changed the water pump when I did the cam-belt change not last year but the year before so coolant was changed then, and most recently when I had the leak from the coolant reservoir but it was bleed etc so I couldn't imagine that caused it. Cant afford to change it at the mo but I think after this I get her back up and running and then focus on getting another car.

Overheating.....thermostat/ failed cooling fan?

 

[cryptixabarth]

Hi guy's and Update. Ive got my car back full cost to me was £368.25. The cause had appeared to be a slight over heating in one area. Apparently according to the garage it is a know issue with this type of engine that they can go, same with apparently drive shift seals. the garage said that the main dealers usually keep a good supply in. The head had only warped very slightly just enough to cause the gasket to fail. I have decided that I will keep the car, I like her too much really. Its easy to work on, must parts are fairly inexpensive if you get them from the right places.

 

[cryptixabarth]

also to add, she said that I maintain the car well and that if there was a blockage which caused it, then it would be cleared. after the head was on she got the car back up to temp until the fan went on before she gave it back so that should be fine.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

There is a train of thought that all gaskets AGE. Very few are under the pressure/ stress of a Head Gasket.
Ive had lots of 1.0,1.1 & 1.2 FIRE hg go.
Never needed to skim one. And theyve lived again for years to come.
Charlie

And yet we've never had a single one go! Runs to find some wood to touch

I think it seems to be luck of the draw as to how well locked after it's been by a previous owner, and how well maintained the coolant system is.

Hi guy's and Update. Ive got my car back full cost to me was £368.25. The cause had appeared to be a slight over heating in one area. Apparently according to the garage it is a know issue with this type of engine that they can go, same with apparently drive shift seals. the garage said that the main dealers usually keep a good supply in. The head had only warped very slightly just enough to cause the gasket to fail. I have decided that I will keep the car, I like her too much really. Its easy to work on, must parts are fairly inexpensive if you get them from the right places.

It isn't that well known an issue, so I'd take what your garage have said with a pinch of salt. While a HG can fail on any car, the 1.4 16V super fire lump doesn't seem overly susceptible to it.