cooling system

[chris22]

ok have done a compression test all ok all around 150 psi
so then used a "chemical sniffer" ( which is realy called a universal block tester avaliable from snap on or MAG etc) and the head gasket is dead for sure.

so i rang the local lotus dealer stradstones (formaly storm of leicester)

not bad prices £25 is for the gasket and the others were all quite reasonable. but i also want to change the stem seals as the car smokes a little on start up this is much worse when the car is hot and then left to stand for around 20 mins then restarted. so i asked the price £5.27 ea +vat thats £99.76!!!!! there only a little bit of rubber on a steel ring most other cars there included in teh head set. maybe there made of gold or something in this engine (i hape so at that price).

so anyone no where i can get some for a real world price???

also while im pulling the head off should i be renewing the head bolts?

thanks for all the help.

[Sy V]

Some folk say you should - PM say you don't need to.

[PaulN]

Chris,

Where abouts in Leicester are you mate?

Cheers

PaulN

[TC]

Chris

Did my head gasket last year and changed the valve seals. Got mine from
http://www.bgautomotive.co.uk/html/catalogue.html

for a ISUZU IMPULSE TURBO 4XE1WT price now is £20. A more sensible price. Got some of the gaskets from these people too.

Tony

[Monty]

Chris

Did my head gasket last year and changed the valve seals. Got mine from
http://www.bgautomotive.co.uk/html/catalogue.html

for a ISUZU IMPULSE TURBO 4XE1WT price now is £20. A more sensible price. Got some of the gaskets from these people too.

Tony

Tony,

Thats a good find and in the uk to saved as a bookmark

[Sy V]

Yep, I can vouch for the quality of BG Automotive's products.

[chris22]

thanks again guys will give that a try have ordered some bits form lotus they tell me this thusrday willbelieve it when i see it!!!!!!!!

as for the bolts sems people are undecided think i will look and see what there like. hope i dont have to change them as i want to start on friday night and have it done sunday with a bit of luck.

the lotus books say it is best to remove the top shell for better assess
this looks like a lot of work for little gain is it worth it ?

by the way paul N im in blaby near to fosspark

[Dave M]

FYI, my Flying Cat project car, which did have a head gasket blown , tested at 140 - 140 - 135 - 140 (s**t PSI?).

Sy, so are you saying that a compression test is not a good enough method of finding if you have a blown head gasket or not?

What would you recommend?

It sounds like you've already found the head gasket to be faulty, but a leakdown test is a much better test to determine gasket and ring health.