Mostyn6 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 My car finally died yesterday, or at least I think it did! My radiator is trashed and was leaking water, but when I turned off the air-con, it stopped leaking water. Yesterday, I was tootling up the A50 to work, and it finally overheated and dumped all the water. As the radiator is f*cked, that very nice man from the AA couldn't tell if the head gasket was damaged too. I am now faced with the dilemma of not knowing if the head gasket is fooked! I don't want to shell out for a replacement radiator only to discover the head gasket is wrecked as it's basically throwing money away. I also think the car is worth something to someone, so may ebay it as a gamble worth taking to some diy mechanic type who likes doing cars up. Here I am now though, feeling like I've lost a limb. I haven't got the readies available for a new car :'( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cisse Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 I don't have a car. I am not stressed. Hmmmmm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Will anyone buy it on eBay not knowing if the head gasket is gone or not? Quite a chunk of change to repair that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostyn6 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 Will anyone buy it on eBay not knowing if the head gasket is gone or not? Quite a chunk of change to repair that possibly, it might not be. But someone might have a spare volvo V40 engine lying around! hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Can't you just get a tow to a garage to find out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateDerby Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Bloody hell mostyn, it's only a head gasket! What car is it? Actually just seen it's a Volvo... there's a really good Volvo specialist on the A50 eastbound just as you come into Stoke on Trent? They'll know. Saying that, it's hardly the type of car you want to be taking the head off, cleaning things up then putting a new gasket on and trying it without an inspection and skim. Not many in the scrappies either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostyn6 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 Bloody hell mostyn, it's only a head gasket! What car is it? Actually just seen it's a Volvo... there's a really good Volvo specialist on the A50 eastbound just as you come into Stoke on Trent? They'll know. Saying that, it's hardly the type of car you want to be taking the head off, cleaning things up then putting a new gasket on and trying it without an inspection and skim. Not many in the scrappies either there's a chance the head gasket is fine. The problem is that my car is in between models, so has a lot of experimental parts on it which are rare as rocking horse crud. Getting hold of a replacement radiator is like something I need Pirates of the Carribean to search for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansea ram Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 1) Can you see where the leak is on the radiator 2) Can you get to it / get the radiator off 3) If so, why don't you try that metal paste, (can't remember exactly what it's called) but they sell it in Halfords & B&Q etc. I had a core plug leak on the back of the engine on my Vauxhall Cresta, I used that, and 20 years later, it's still in there. At least, for the sake of £5-6, you will stop the leak, and find out if the head gasget has gone. Another way to find out if the gasget is gone, is to look at the oil, because it will show up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozza Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 boil an egg in the rad ..temporarily stops the leak.. or stick some Radweld in.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateDerby Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 1) Can you see where the leak is on the radiator 2) Can you get to it / get the radiator off 3) If so, why don't you try that metal paste, (can't remember exactly what it's called) but they sell it in Halfords & B&Q etc. I had a core plug leak on the back of the engine on my Vauxhall Cresta, I used that, and 20 years later, it's still in there. At least, for the sake of £5-6, you will stop the leak, and find out if the head gasget has gone. Another way to find out if the gasget is gone, is to look at the oil, because it will show up there. Chemical Metal I think it's called, brill stuff and might work if you can see/get at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateDerby Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 This has got to be one of the most helpful selection of answers yet... even Mo55y sort of helped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostyn6 Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 This has got to be one of the most helpful selection of answers yet... even Mo55y sort of helped. the AA man put radweld in but it wouldn't clog the hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenportram Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 The leaking water when air con is on might not be anything to do with the radiator. All cars that have air com running appear to half leaks because of the cooling process of the system (almost every car that's parked up in the summer leaves a pool of water) If you've got a visible leak in the radiator then that is probably the only leak and head gasket will be fine. If the head gasket had gone I don't think there would be enough pressure in the system to blow the radiator (could be wrong though I'm not a mechanic) Check your dipstick and around the oil filler cap - if there is any sign of a mayonnaise like build up then there could be coolant in the oil and a possible problem with the gasket. Coolant reacts with oil and it goes thick and a grey/white colour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boycie Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Have you tried turning it off and on again? Ps, I'm not a mechanic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinza Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Sounds like head gasket.. dumping water is the tell tale sign! check for mayo round the oil filler cap and dipstick. Whatever you do, DO NOT just pop a new gasket on without having the head skimmed.. that is if you are intended on keeping it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamNut Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 I don't have a car. I am not stressed. Hmmmmm... I'm guessing you don't have a horse either..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cisse Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 I'm guessing you don't have a horse either..... Touche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateDerby Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 What about this as a run about? Has a fuel problem but a smart reg - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-306-1-9-turbo-diesel-SPARES-or-REPAIR-non-runner-/261306747516?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cd7188a7c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttoxram75 Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 What about this as a run about? Has a fuel problem but a smart reg - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-306-1-9-turbo-diesel-SPARES-or-REPAIR-non-runner-/261306747516?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cd7188a7c What's the trim like on that one/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Mine's being serviced now. Of course they find a brake issue... Oh and I have a brake light out and need new wipers. Looking best part of £300. Bananas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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