Replacing the Head Gasket?

[bigman_10]

I've blown my 1.3 up and need a new head gasket, i've lost compression in far left cylinder (think thats number 1) and its leaking oil down the block form similar position, got loads of mayo and loosing water like its going out of fashion. Question is, if i replace the head gasket, can i get away without getting the head reskimmed? Also will i need new head bolts? I'm wondering if it will be cheaper to get another engine from the scrappy and change the whole lot over. Any ideas?

Thanks

[Diamond Hell]

You can 'get away' with all sorts of things, like not skimming the head, but if you don't both doing it then you don't know if it'll ever torque down right.

If it were me I'd put it into a machine shop to get it checked and skimmed, if needed.

.....although I'd be unlikely to be mucking about with a 1.3, to be fair.

Think how annoyed you'll be if you put the head back on with a new gasket and bolts and it still isn't right?

As for the motor from the scrappy - don't buy it unless you can see it running up to temp.  An engine you haven't seen running is worth it's weight in scrap.

[bigman_10]

If it were me I'd put it into a machine shop to get it checked and skimmed, if needed.

.....although I'd be unlikely to be mucking about with a 1.3, to be fair.

When you've got an insurance rating like mine its the only thing you can muck about with 

How much will it cost to get the head reskimmed though is it about £50?

[danny_p]

about £25 to skim a head normaly,  it sounds like you've driven it on a blown gasket for a while and it is an ALI head so you really should skim it.   else you proably be takeing it off in a couple of weeks to do it all again

bon't think the headbolts are of the "strech" variety but they are all of £1.10 each and there is only 10 of them.  so you are best of changeing them as well

[bigman_10]

Yep  :embarassed: i've been putting it off because i've been trying to find a new car. I've been topping the water up for a while though. £25 quid isn't too bad definitly worth doing at that price, just need to find someone that can do it now? guess i can do the lot for £50!

Thanks

[Jolfa]

May aswell pick up a cheap GTI lump and slinging that in, what the insurance don't know won't hurt them

[JC]

Yep  :embarassed: i've been putting it off because i've been trying to find a new car. I've been topping the water up for a while though. £25 quid isn't too bad definitly worth doing at that price, just need to find someone that can do it now? guess i can do the lot for £50!

Thanks

what kind of new car you after ? and how much ya got ?