WelcoHead gasket types
Frequently Asked Questions
Head Gasket related
Q. I have to keep topping up the water in my engine - what could this be?
A. Providing that there are no visible external leaks, it may be your head gasket leaking.
Q. How can I tell if the Head Gasket is leaking?
A. Normally if the gasket is leaking an obvious "telltale" sign is water in the oil, this is where the water from the cooling system has gone into the engine mixing with the oil and looks brown white in colour. Condesation in the engine sometimes causes a "smutty" build up in the rocker box area but if the oil in the sump is contaminated with water it normally means that the head gaket has gone.
Q. The temperature gauge tends to go into the red very quickly, what could this be?
A. There could be one or two reasons, the cooling fan may not be working therefore as the engine warms up the fan should kick in to cool it down but it doesn't. The water pump impellor ( The inside part of the pump) may have disintergrated or become insecure. The thermostat may have stuck in the closed position and not allow the coolant to flow freely in the engine. Finally it may be down the the head gasket leaking causing the combustion gases of the engine to leak into the cooling system.
Q. What can be done to check if the head gasket is leaking?
A. A simple "colour change" test can be carried out in a matter of minutes, This is done by removing the expansion cap and positioning the tester tube containing the test fluid over the neck of the header tank/radiator cap. The engine is then run hot and if the head gasket has gone the liquid will change from blue to a green/brown colour. The test fluid detects exhaust fumes in the cooling system which indicated that the head gasket has gone.
Q. Is it a big job to change the head gasket on a car
A. Some cars are easier then other, some cars take 3 to 4 hours, others can take a lot longer.
Q. What is the process behind changing the head gasket.
A. The cylinder head is removed from the egnine block and in the majority of cases it is sent to the engineering shop to be "refaced" this is where the face of the head is machined to make sure that it is perfectly flat before rebuilding to the engine block. for a more detailed description on the cylinder head work read our cylinder head section here.
It is good practice to check at the same time for any visible cracks but to also check for aninternal crack. An internal crack can only be checked by having a pressure test or crack test carried out. This is where the head is put under pressure and any internal cracks are deteced by the visible leakage of air after the head is submerged under water. At the same time a visible check of the cylinder bores can also be carried out.
Q. Can my local garage reface and pressure test my cylinder head?
A. Normally garages that take on cylinder head jobs have to send the heads to the engineering shop to have the work carried out as they will not have the neccessary specialist machinary on site.
Q . Will I need my cylinder head to be refaced and pressure tested?
A. Under no circumstances after the gasket failure should an aluminum cylinder head be fitted back to the engine block without be skimmed or pressure tested as there is a high risk the cylinder head will be distorted and leak again.
Q. Where can i get my head gasket checked in Nottingham?
A. R B Lindley & Son will do a free check on your head gasket or any other engine fault you have, just pop in and we will do our best to help.
Timing belt/ Chain related
Q. Is a timing belt the same as a cam belt?
A. They are both the same
Q. How do I know if a timing belt is fitted to my vehicle?
A. Look in your vehicle hand book or give us a call and we can confirm this.
Q. When should I replace my timing belt?
A. Timing belts should be replaced and a certain mileage or time intervals. This could be anything from 50,000 miles up to 100,000 miles or 5 years.
Q. What would happen if my timing belt snapped?
A. Your engine would stop immediately
Q. Are there any warning signs that a timing belt is about to snap?
A. The simple answer is no, but if you hear any unusual noises coming from your engine, don't ignore it, get it checked out.
Q. If my timing belt snaps will it damage my engine.
A. If your engine is an Interference Engine, which nearly all modern engines are, then the answer is yes, The timing belt (see picture) is connected to the camshaft and the crankshaft, when the belt snaps the turning momentum of the crankshaft that the pistons are attached to will hit the valves in the cylinder head.
Q. Will I have to have a new engine fitted?
A. In very extreme cases the engine may be damaged beyond repair but normally the damage can be repaired, this is what we specialise in.
Q.What has to be done to repair an engine that has suffered from a snapped belt/chain?
A. The cylinder head has to be removed from the engine block and the valves are stripped from the head. The valve guides are inspected for cracks and replaced if necessary. The damaged valves are replaced and the cylinder head is rebuilt fitting new valve steam oil seals. It is then fitted back onto the engine block using a new head gasket and timing belt / chain.
Q. What can be done to avoid my belt snapping?
A. Simply have a new belt fitted.
Q. Ive just bought a new car but the previous owner didn't know if the belt had been replaced. What should I do?
A. If in ANY doubt whatsoever just fit a new belt.
Q. Can't I just get it checked to see if it needs changing?
A. You can however on many cars it can take as much time to strip it down to check the belt as it does to change it.
Q. My timing belt looks new and still has clear writing on it, will I be OK to leave it?
A. That is entirely your choice, but in our experience the best policy is to change it.
Q. Where can i get my Timing belt checked and changed in Nottingham?
A. Bring it straight down to us, our friendly staff will be more then happy to give you any advice, diagnose any noise or change your timing belt.
Q. Im giong away on holiday and taking my car, I know the timing belt needs changing but I cant afford it, what would you do?
A. While travelling to your holiday destination and you're on the motorway - if the timing belt fails your car will STOP. You will be have to be recovered off the motorway to the nearest garage and it may take several days to repair and several hundred pounds. The simple answer to your question is - get a belt fitted.
OUR ADVICE
If in doubt, have a new belt fitted. It could save you a lot of money. If you need any help or advice whatsoever pick up the phone and speak to us today.
Engine related
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R B Lindley & Son
55 Church Street
Old Basford
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG6 0GA
Tel - 0115 9790818
�Nottingham Garage services
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