Oh noooo! Head gasket blown.

[ghost]

Had erratic starting problems over the last few weeks. Been mis-firing, then settles down okay. Cleaned up all the crank sensors, earthing points and DME connections. The DME relay is new, so its not that. Just had a service last month - and a new clutch - so this is a bad period for my s2.
Changed the spark plugs for the super-duper spark Bosch plus-4's, Started okay, gave her a bit of a rev and whoosh!! Steam everywhere. Good job i was at home. 20 years and 149,000 miles done, so i guess it had to happen soon. Think I'll get all the valve guides/seals done at the same time. Make her fresh as a daisy. Anything else I should do while I'm there?
Oh, and I still don't know if the starting problem is related.

 

[graham.webb]

Sorry to hear that...have a word with Craig. I recall his went a while back, may be useful.

 

[craig2105]

Marcus - as Gunner Graham says, my S2 engine went the same way rather spectacularly on at the start of our run up to the Cornbury Christmas do in Dec 2009. Head gasket had blown - massive clouds of smoke/steam and poor running. I still went on the event though, and gave it the obligatory Italian tune-up on the way just to show it who's boss. With the head off it was lcear that someone had been in there before, but I have to say that after Simon got to work the thing ran beautifully and better than it previously had in my posession. It was a bit expensive as the head needed a skim and I had the belts, rollers, chain, oil seal and water pump all done at the smae time, but as you've had a few of those already your wallet should survive better than mine.

Was at Simon's yesterday. Heard yours was coming in...

Good luck!

 

[barks944]

There was quite an interesting post by Baz from Hartech about how the head gaskets rot over the years and can short circuit the coolant channels and the rear cylidners can get cooked. Anyone with an original gasket might want to think about getting it swapped out.

 

[zcacogp]

>Can of worms opened<

 

[barks944]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

>Can of worms opened<

Was there a big dispute over that claim then?

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Was there a big dispute over that claim then?

No, just that whenever you suggest expensive preventative maintenance there's always a few people who think it's the garages trying to make work for themselves. [&:]

 

[zcacogp]

Yes, a bit. Along the lines of there not being a problem for the vast majority of owners, and the problem probably only manifesting itself in cars driven very hard on track on hot days. Yes, it is undoubtedly a good idea to change the gasket as a precaution, but given the risk of failure (small, for most cars), and the value of the cars (small), and the cost of changing (large, particularly when viewed as a proportion of the value), it simply isn't worth it for most people.

But opinions will differ and some owners will be happy to go ahead with such work.


Oli.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

I am just taking apart an old engine 2.5 N/A - 160k + which I know has had the cambelt go at some point, whether it had a new gasket at that time I don't know - the engine was running fine with no obvious problems, and the engine was not swapped with any thoughts about the gasket.

As can been seen the gasket has holes in 3 places allowing coolant through were it shouldn't!

So I certainly think that a close eye should be looking for possible signs.

 

[George Elliott]

One while you are in there suggestion I would make, and its easy, more of a while you are at it - replace the probably ripe / rotten flexi fuel line's which runs from the o/s wheel arch over the exhaust manifold area onto the fuel rail / return.
Other than that, I used a Cometic gasket when it happened to me.
good luck
George
944t

 

[Suffolk944]

My head gasket was replaced recently when I had the new turbo bolted on. It was in a pretty sorry state to put it mildly.

 

[944 man]

Can closed - worm scare averted.

 

[simkin911]

Sulzeruk is restoring a turbo for me and teaching me as we go ('91 turbo with 149k) - he removed the head gasket a few weeks and it wasn't in bad shape at all. Some early signs of corrosion but no holes or significantly worrying features. Glad it's being changed however. One less thing to worry about.

 

[ghost]

Thanks for your comments everyone. I just hope the starting problem goes away at the same time.
I had a road trip to Germany planned fr July. So glad the 944 didn't blow its head miles from home.
I'll let you know how bad the gasket is.

 

[ghost]

ORIGINAL: craig2105

Marcus - as Gunner Graham says, my S2 engine went the same way rather spectacularly on at the start of our run up to the Cornbury Christmas do in Dec 2009.  Head gasket had blown - massive clouds of smoke/steam and poor running.  I still went on the event though, and gave it the obligatory Italian tune-up on the way just to show it who's boss.  With the head off it was lcear that someone had been in there before, but I have to say that after Simon got to work the thing ran beautifully and better than it previously had in my posession.  It was a bit expensive as the head needed a skim and I had the belts, rollers, chain, oil seal and water pump all done at the smae time, but as you've had a few of those already your wallet should survive better than mine. 

Was at Simon's yesterday.  Heard yours was coming in...

Good luck! 

Cheers Craig. I blame my son, Ant. Reckon he gave it too much oomph up Prescott Hill. []

 

[ghost]

Car was collected yesterday and delivered to my local Porsche Specialist. Can anyone guess how big my bill might be?

 

[zcacogp]

Over half the value of the car.


Oli.

 

[ghost]

Phew, that's a relief. Thought it was going to be expensive. I can afford a tenner. []

 

[craig2105]

Oli I think that's scaremongering. Mine wasn't nearly that expensive unless you think the car is only worth a couple of grand PR so!

 

[eddieedmo]

The head gasket had blown a little on mine just before I bought it.The cost to strip , skim head , lap all valves etc rebuild was approx. £1k inc all items.

Nick []