Opel Corsa 1.2 16V 48,000 miles

jm0903

The head gasket is after going in a 2008 Opel Corsa 1.2 16Valve with only 48,000 miles shoul this have happened with it only been 4 years old have owned it since new Any advice would be appricated I'm totally stupid when it comes to cars

Leonard Hofstadter

No, the head gasket most certainly should not have gone that soon and with such mileage.

Was it serviced when it was supposed to have been serviced (at least once a year)? A lot of people think that because they bought a new car that it therefore needs no maintenance whatsoever - ALL cars need a service at least once a year (and more if the car is doing high mileage).

Were you driving the crap out of it?

ShadowHearth

Might happen on these op. the most stupidest thing that Opel did on these corsa's and astra's is not to have a temperature gouge.
So someone might not even know that engine is overheating and still drive it, while making even more damage.

jm0903

captainspeed wrote: »

No, the head gasket most certainly should not have gone that soon and with such mileage.

Was it serviced when it was supposed to have been serviced (at least once a year)? A lot of people think that because they bought a new car that it therefore needs no maintenance whatsoever - ALL cars need a service at least once a year (and more if the car is doing high mileage).

Were you driving the crap out of it?

No the car was drove properly its my girlfriends she's a real cautious driver. The last service was only done in December so that's why we're so confused

jm0903

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Might happen on these op. the most stupidest thing that Opel did on these corsa's and astra's is not to have a temperature gouge.
So someone might not even know that engine is overheating and still drive it, while making even more damage.

There's a warning light in the car but nothing came on at all to say anything was up

Nissan doctor

How often do you check your coolant level?

The head gaskets only go on these when a coolant leak/low coolant goes unchecked.

jm0903

Nissan doctor wrote: »

How often do you check your coolant level?

The head gaskets only go on these when a coolant leak/low coolant goes unchecked.

It was only filled 6 weeks ago

jm0903

jm0903 wrote: »

It was only filled 6 weeks ago

What prompted that?
Was the reason for the loss investigated and root caused? It's a closed system, shouldn't require topping up to any significant degree.

jm0903

RoverJames wrote: »

jm0903 wrote: »

It was only filled 6 weeks ago

What prompted that?
Was the reason for the loss investigated and root caused? It's a closed system, shouldn't require topping up to any significant degree.

I thought you ment water sorry. I expect that the coolent was filled upon service in December

Nissan doctor

jm0903 wrote: »

I thought you ment water sorry. I expect that the coolent was filled upon service in December

It may be that assumption that caused the problem. The level may have been fine in December, but that's half a year ago, any leak or issue could have developed since then. That's why coolant is something that you check regularly, the same as you would oil, tyre pressures etc.

jm0903

Nissan doctor wrote: »

jm0903 wrote: »

I thought you ment water sorry. I expect that the coolent was filled upon service in December

It may be that assumption that caused the problem. The level may have been fine in December, but that's half a year ago, any leak or issue could have developed since then. That's why coolant is something that you check regularly, the same as you would oil, tyre pressures etc.

Thanks for the advice it wouldn't of been that the gasket was weak no? Just a cousin of mine suggest that when he looked at the car

Nissan doctor

jm0903 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice it wouldn't of been that the gasket was weak no? Just a cousin of mine suggest that when he looked at the car

The gaskets are weak from the point of view that they fail very quickly once there is any cooling issue/low coolant. Some cars can handle low coolant or over heating much longer without the HG failing, but the HG still won't fail unless there is an issue that hasn't been noticed weather its low coolant, a leak, failed cooling fan, thermostat etc etc.

Its the same with the common failures on Rovers or Fiat punto's etc, they still won't fail once the cooling system is working correctly.

HG failures are a symptom of an issue, not a cause.

jm0903

So have you any idea how much I could expect to pay to get this fixed??

Nissan doctor

jm0903 wrote: »

So have you any idea how much I could expect to pay to get this fixed??

A proper repair would be in the region of €600 - €800.

That should be all the parts needed: head set(all new gaskets, seals etc for the cylinder head), new head bolts, chain cover gasket, sump gasket, head pressure test and skim, oil, oil filter, coolant etc etc and labour.

Engine specific tools are also needed to set the timing on these engines.

jm0903

You seem to know a lot is there anywhere in the Newbridge Kildare area you would recommend??

Nissan doctor

jm0903 wrote: »

You seem to know a lot is there anywhere in the Newbridge Kildare area you would recommend??

I wouldn't be familiar with any garages down that way I'm afraid.

jm0903

Ok that's grand really appricate your help thanks very much

vicM

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Might happen on these op. the most stupidest thing that Opel did on these corsa's and astra's is not to have a temperature gouge.
So someone might not even know that engine is overheating and still drive it, while making even more damage.

I have a 2006 corsa and it does have a temperature gauge, unless I'm mistaking it for something else

Nissan doctor

vicM wrote: »

I have a 2006 corsa and it does have a temperature gauge, unless I'm mistaking it for something else

The 06 is a different model to an 08. The Corsa C(yours) has a temp gauge but the newer Corsa D doesn't.

YouTookMyName

Gasket went on the parents 08 summer 2010. Was only 27000km on it.