Head gasket?

[Stephene]

My head gasket needs doing obviously, mothers been quoted £300 by a 'friend' and about the same from our next door neighbour!

Questions are :

Would it not be easier to get the part ourselves and give it a bash? Cos apparently its not that bad of a job?

And would the head need skimming (think thats what im on about), considering we've drove it about 60miles with the head fooked, old dear said its only a 8valve(?) so it might not?

Or just pay the £300 n get it done?

Sorry for lack of technical info, MK1 PH1 1.4 btw if that makes any diff, cheers in advance

 

[Moz168]

You'll need to have a basic knowledge of things and the tools to do it.
Ive read that the Energy engine doesn't need to be skimmed, but I don't know really. Im gunna give mine a go when I've got time, cars only worth a few hundred anyway.
I can't find a step by step guide for the Mk1 Clio, but there a plenty of headgasket guides for other cars around, so you can get a basic idea.

If you do attempt it, would you mind taking photos as you do it and let me know any problems you came across.

I think most people are going to say to give it a go if you have a basic idea, if you have no idea then don't attempt it, unless your not to bothered about the car dying soon.

 

[dunlop]

piece of piss on an old energy engine.

just be careful as its wet lined and can disloge the liners.

i'm near you and could probably do it for about £225-250 depending on if the head is warped and how expensive parts are now.

 

[Stephene]

Cheers for the advice! Car only cost £150 but its my first car so i want it want it working really
My mum use to run and own a garage for a few years a while back so she knows roughly i think/hope!
Next door neighbours an ex vauxhall racing team mechanic so i suppose if we get any problems we've got him to ask!
Yeh, i'll get some photos, not sure when we plan on doing whatever though!

Thanks dunlop, ill keep that in mind, head gaskets are about £40 max so ive been told, thats why we'd rather give it ago ourselves!

 

[dunlop]

yeah
I havent done one in a while so not sure.

Best get a head set though. has all the gaskets you'll need.

Dont forget headbolts, cambelt kit, and as the belts off do the waterpump too.

 

[Moz168]

f**k it then, give it a bash and if you get lost just go round to the neighbours and ask.
I was told to budget a whole day to do it...

 

[Stephene]

forgot about the cambelt! guessing thats not to hard either seeing as its got to come off anyway? and i have no clue what the rest are
or what if we just get the parts and pay someone to do it, or is that defeating the object of saving money and is the extra 200 odd shoved on top of the parts price for labour?

 

[dunlop]

spply the parts and it'll be £100 providing the head isnt warped

 

[Stephene]

thats sounding the best option then atm! thanks

 

[JW]

Hmm i would pay someone who knows what they are doing to do it for you mate. It is still an advanced job if you havent any knowledge of whats involved. For eg. Taking things apart the correct way and then putting them together the correct way for starters..

 

[Stephene]

I may be a girl, but im really not that thick :rasp: as said before my mum has owned a garage before, and theres a mechanic next door to ask if any probs, he already loves my mum cos of her car and would more then likely be willing to help im sure! I see where your coming from though, just want to know what other options there are as i dont have £300 odd to spare!

 

[Alastair.]

hope u got some muscles for them head bolts and know how to torque the head up and time the engine etc

and have all the tools

 

[vtr-richie]

drag an old thread up but i ahve to do this exact job, now how would i go about timing the old energy engine?