[Possible] head gasket

neadybop

hi,
i've a 07 renault scenic diesel currently in with the mechanic, looking like a possible head gasket gone/ cooling system feked.
if its the worst outcome, am i better to pay to get the work done or put the money towards a different car??? neither of which i can really afford.
thanks

Toyotafanboi

going on the limited information you gave, i'd say a repair is your cheapest option.

what overall condition is the car in, mileage/ NCT etc? do you think other stuff is likely to fail soon?

derry

There are many reasons to have overheating problems and head gasket is the most expensive if it is truely the head gasket .
I would go forums for this type of car in case there is some known issue like thermostat wont work or the radatior is blocked or other reasons

You really dont want to rip of the head to find its not the head gasket .

Has the mechanic checked the cooling water contains the exhaust gasses .
Is there a pressure leak with heat exchanger for car heating cooling fans
is there air trapped in the system .
have they checked the ECU readouts and the numbers they threw out for fasults in case they expose the real reason to overheat

Did you drive the car and not see temp rise and run it long time in the red as that blow a head gasket
if the timing chain has slipped a notch the mistiming will in some cases will create too much heat

Did you neglect to add cooling fluid for few months and the engine got hot that way

did you get bad batch of fuel with some kerosene it the kerosene burns very hot .

Whats the history mileage and service history and type of use like heavy towwing can over heat many engines .

Keep us posted

Derry

Joe Doe

Bloke in the pub mentioned something called 'steal seal' or something - to re-seal head gaskets.
40 notes for one tin. Sticks it in the rad like, and it seals up any transfusion between rad & engine.
He said F1 chaps used it back in the day as a quick fix.
Wouldn't try it on a new jag or anything like that!

Reviews on Amazon are mixed, but mostly leaning towards positive.

Mechanics wouldn't be in favour as puts them out of 8-10hrs labour invoicing.
Again only worth considering as a patch up job on an older, 'occasional use' motor perhaps...

visual

All those stop leak products are asking for trouble.

They might seal a leak but the rest of it is flushed around the system until it sticks to something then the problems start and more difficult to repair and much more costly.

There is no way in hell would F1 mechanics be sticking that crap in their engines

Joe Doe

Sure sounds like a gamble, their blurb says:

"No, Steel Seal Head Gasket Repair will not block or clog your cooling system or cause any damage to your vehicle. Unlike other products making similar claims. Steel Seal contains no fibrous material to seal your blown head gasket. It relies on a thermo chemical bonding process which is a chemical reaction, to seal the leak in your blown head gasket."

visual

Joe Doe wrote: »

Sure sounds like a gamble, their blurb says:

So they lie and have no remorse, what is the guarantee if damage is caused refund the price of bottle of steelseal and engine your problem.

I used a similar product recommend by motor factors and some mechanicals to fix a small leak in coolant system.

Poured it in following instructions, leak stopped for two weeks then radiator let go.

Had to replace the radiator and its what I should have done in the first place. While flushing out the system all these small beads came out the stop leak when heated forum into little beads that are supposed to work their way around the system until they stick to where the leak is and fuse into position (chemically).

These travel around and around the the coolant system through all the major and minor coolant pathways in radiator engine heating core and waterpump until they lodge somewhere.

It doesnt matter if its called liquid metal or egg yoke its the same principle and there is no intelligence something sticks somewhere to block the coolant leak and the remaining product flows around until it to sticks somewhere.

wonski

Last time I thought i had (possibly) head gasket gone i ended up with a water pump replacement. Did a timing belt at the same time, too ( made sense). An overall cost was close to what the head gasket would be but less work + i was confident it is going to last for a while again. My mechanic was happy.

I would wait for your mechanic's call before making any decisions.

07 Scenic with an issue is worth nothing so you can fix it and enjoy the car until you have funds to get a new one. I know the pain, but if you can't afford to fix it there is a chance you can't afford a new second hand car.

I hope it isn't going to be expensive.

Waterson

I would wait for your mechanic's diagnosis. A faulty head gasket can be diagnosed within one hour by a competent technician. As above, once the engine is up to temperature, coolant flow can be assessed simply by touch. Then an exhaust gas sniff test on the cooling system. Further testing via exhaust pipe gas analysis might be considered overkill, but the point is...make sure your mechanic can prove to you with evidence that your issue is with the head gasket, and not something else/considerably cheaper.

neadybop

so the mechanic has been on to me and the quote is in..... we're talking at least €3000!
head gasket is gone, engine is damaged and possible electrical problems!
time to go car searching!
thanks to all for the advice

Markcheese

Eeeekk, that's steep ..any idea what caused the head gasket to go ?? Would a blown head gasket cause those other probs??
(Just scrapped my old car,think a dickey thermostat caused head gasket problem)

Markcheese

Just thought , if the car is scrap value to you , you might as well try bottle of stuff ... Your risking the price of the bottle !! Might get you a little while to find a new motor ??
( if your car is in good nick could you source a second hand engine and find someone to stick it in )

fartman

sorry for jumping in here mate but my car is losing about 1 litre of coolant per week and not over heating is my head gasket gone also it a 2l diesel car !!!

Waterson

Blimey that's steep, surprised the engine drive into the workshop at all if the damage was that extensive. So I guess it's a cracked block/head or a a lot of coolant entering one or more cylinders and causing conrod/crank damage. Either way is say you've been quoted for a replacement long block plus labour. Electrical fault?? I would be curious OP on the exact diagnosis before I consented the car to scrap. Or is it in the parlance of the motor trade "just fcuked"?

Waterson

fartman wrote: »

sorry for jumping in here mate but my car is losing about 1 litre of coolant per week and not over heating is my head gasket gone also it a 2l diesel car !!!

Check first for external leakage, ideally get your mechanic to pressure test the system first to pinpoint any small leaks that could be overlooked by just a visual check...

wonski

neadybop wrote: »

so the mechanic has been on to me and the quote is in..... we're talking at least €3000!
head gasket is gone, engine is damaged and possible electrical problems!
time to go car searching!
thanks to all for the advice

Sorry to hear that. 3k is a lot of money.

Someone just posted nice and clean Avensis 7 seater diesel in bangeromics thread.
Might be worth a look.

I wouldn't invest 3k in your car. Maybe try to get second opinion of another mechanic to be sure.