Suspect Head Gasket

[clipperjay]

You can buy test strip kits for like a few quid just to check for hydrocarbons in the water?
 

[dadrathers]

With the header tank cap off check for a steady stream of water from small hose when revved. Mine was blocked at the radiator end and this caused pressure in the system to an extent that I lost water and when removing the cap even when the car was cold the level tended to want to overflow.

[superted]

With the header tank cap off check for a steady stream of water from small hose when revved. Mine was blocked at the radiator end and this caused pressure in the system to an extent that I lost water and when removing the cap even when the car was cold the level tended to want to overflow.

Took return hose off the rad and its foaming bubbles lots of air in there, got to go back to work wont be home till 5 so will try and get the head off tonight  im not giving up on her just yet.

[clipperjay]

I have to admit I had heat issues once, the water return pipe to the expansion tank was blocked, but you should be able to see a steady flow of water from that pipe into the tank! 

[dadrathers]

As jay says look at the header tank end - air might be getting past a blockage at the rad end even if water is not.

[superted]

I have to admit I had heat issues once, the water return pipe to the expansion tank was blocked, but you should be able to see a steady flow of water from that pipe into the tank! 

yea got a dribble coming through, cleaned no 4 spark plug left running 1/2 hour, slight white effect to tip of plug. fan come in 3 times temp half way, water in header cold waited 30 secs then surge of hot water comes back up bottom hose in header and over flows so i reckon water leaking into 3/4 bore causing steam and mis fire on start up. 

[clipperjay]

Yeah could be a worn ring on no. four, head off time I'm afraid mate!
Emulsified oil on the tip a sure sign of water ingress on a bore!
Sorry fella it might be just one new ring, new gasket, flush, light skim on the bore and light skim on the head?

[superted]

Yeah could be a worn ring on no. four, head off time I'm afraid mate!
Emulsified oil on the tip a sure sign of water ingress on a bore!
Sorry fella it might be just one new ring, new gasket, flush, light skim on the bore and light skim on the head?

Right took the head off today, what a pain the exhaust was my right shoulder is killing, anyway lifted the head off and 2, 3, 4 valves coated white, found a small amount of silcon in one of the water ways on the head, pistons all black so dont think water has been getting in the bores or not alot to clean the face of the piston, so im goimg to strip the head get it skimmed monday, and order the parts going to replace all gaskets and put her back together and hope it sorts it out. Replaced all the core plugs and flushed through, as well today.

[Santiago]

No.1's where your problem has occurred, I'd say.  The dark-coloured exhaust valves are the odd-ones-out.

Excuse me borrowing/doctoring your pic, but I think the fire-ring has leaked where the yellow arrow is pointing:



When getting the head skimmed, ensure that enough material is taken off to 'make-good' any erosion of the alloy between the waterway nearest that point, and the area which that fire-ring of the gasket occupies. 

[superted]

No.1's where your problem has occurred, I'd say.  The dark-coloured exhaust valves are the odd-ones-out.

Excuse me borrowing/doctoring your pic, but I think the fire-ring has leaked where the yellow arrow is pointing:



When getting the head skimmed, ensure that enough material is taken off to 'make-good' any erosion of the alloy between the waterway nearest that point, and the area which that fire-ring of the gasket occupies. 

Cheers for that, the gasket was old and falling apart. I Surpose sitting for two years probley didnt help, i hope when i put it all back together i wont have a misfire or air lock problems, ive changed everything else