Head problem?
Submitted: Saturday, Jun 21, 2003 at 22:50
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5585
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Luke
Hi All,
I'm a little concerned about my new '89 Maverick SWB TB42 Petrol/LPG.
There has been a slight coolant leak appearing under the car in the
vicinity of the bell housing area. I havent been able to find where
the coolant is coming from...but today felt around the back of the
head and I can't see anything but it feels like there is a Welch plug
there? The plug felt like it had some corrosion on it but no moisture
apparent. It is only a small leak so that may be the source?
Also I have noticed come carbon like deposits and condensation coming
from the exhaust...
The coolant in the radiator looks clean - and I changed the oil and
oil filter yesterday - the oil looks clean also.
Has anybody got any thoughts or experience on this?
Thanks very much,
Luke.
Reply By: Member - Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jun 21, 2003 at 22:57
Saturday, Jun 21, 2003 at 22:57
Luke get it checked out poste haste, the 4.2's crack the heads at the rear pf the head amd leak and drip around the bellhousing, bank on a $1200 + repair bill and ask for a modified head that has been done to take this into account. Let me kjnow if you need the suppliers name for this modified type of head.
Go easy
young man..So many
places to go!
So much work to do :0(
AnswerID:
23179
Follow Up By: Luke - Saturday, Jun 21, 2003 at 23:09
Saturday, Jun 21, 2003 at 23:09
Thanks for the reply Bonz,
...that's exactly the kind of post I'm afraid of :-(
FollowupID:
15368
Follow Up By: Member - Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jun 21, 2003 at 23:15
Saturday, Jun 21, 2003 at 23:15
My mates done his twice, second time the supplier paid cause it was 4 months after the first and then had no probs for three years 150000km with the modified head. Go get it sorted, at least ya only have to do the head not replace the donkSo many
places to go!
So much work to do :0(
FollowupID:
15369
Reply By: Member - Chris (W.A.) - Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 19:24
Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 19:24
Luke,
Another little tip in case you don't already know is look under the oil filler cap. Most of the time if the head is blown there'll be a white milky substance on the inside of the cap.
regards and good luck.
Gibb River in July.
Chris
AnswerID:
23229
Follow Up By: Luke - Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 21:01
Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 21:01
Hi Chris,
I didn't know that - but I have had a look under the oil filler cap and it's quite clean.
I'm going to call the mechanic tomorrow and see if he has time to take a look at it for me.
Cheers,
Luke.
FollowupID:
15427
Follow Up By: Luke - Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 21:03
Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 21:03
And...I forgot, thanks for the tip. ~;-)
FollowupID:
15428
Reply By: desert - Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 21:25
Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 21:25
Make sure you are sitting down when you get the quote. After you hear $400 for the gasket, it only gets worse.
AnswerID:
23241
Reply By: Martyn (WA) - Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 22:03
Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 22:03
Luke,
As the others have mentioned it could well be the welch plug on the head, I can only assume that the engines in the petrol & diesel are similar. Mine had a slight drip from the bell housing drain, if the leak is coming from the bell-housing drain it could well be the welch plug at the back of the engine block, this means the engine will have to come out, no options. The way you talk about the leak it sounds like you can feel it so thats good. If you have a small mirror you can squeeze that between the firewall and the head and if you get the angle right you can see what's leaking.Keep the shiny side up
AnswerID:
23245
Follow Up By: Luke - Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 23:04
Sunday, Jun 22, 2003 at 23:04
Thanks Martyn,
Great idea about the mirror!
Cheers,
Luke.
FollowupID:
15438
Reply By: tim - Monday, Jun 23, 2003 at 14:15
Monday, Jun 23, 2003 at 14:15
Luke
I have replaced a head twice on my maverick.The first head cracked straight down the guts,then the second one cracked from a freeze hole which should of been welded to stop the cracking.
Got p`d off at the end paying $1000 each time.
Bought a new gu 3.0tdi
Creamy soda is what you will find under the oil filler cap when it blows,and if you are on gas the car will run rough because the converter freezes.
Good luck!!
AnswerID:
23280
Reply By: Luke - Monday, Jun 23, 2003 at 15:22
Monday, Jun 23, 2003 at 15:22
Thanks for everybodys replies so far.
Took it down to the mechanic today. It most certainly is the Welch plug at the back of the head.
I've elected to take the head off and get it checked out instead of just trying to fit a new Welch plug....
They'll do valves, guides, seats etc etc as well as welding up some holes, and drilling and tapping the head for another coolant line.....
After all this, assuming the head's not cracked when they get it off it should be more durable.
All I've got to do now is come up with $1000 and hope the head is OK when they get it off......
AnswerID:
23286