Thread: Head Gasket

Originally Posted by Fausto79

he mentioned the heads hollowing out on the mating surface and this guy changes it so it buldges instead and fixes this issue permanently.

Sounds interesting, did he also design the Hiclone?
Bulge the head, sort of like warping it?
Re your previous over heating make sure the block is ok 1st
Others more knowledgeable mechanics on here would no doubt be interested in this permanent fix by bulging
Cheers,
Mario

Check the head yourself with a good straight edge, tip head on it's side and pour some diesel or kero in the ports, leave overnight and see if there is any weeping from around valve seats.
If fluid leaks from around valve seats and the head is not flat get the head serviced, though Land Rover warns against milling the head surface, if you do get the head milled you need to have the valve seats set lower to clear pistons.
Overall cost is a bit high, ring around you should be able to do better, good luck, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Fausto79

I'm trying to get my Disco tip top and fix all possible things to make me feel relaxed for some touring end of year. as it has reached the 250k mark and, having read some info here, it is a time when it is known for doing head gaskets. i have over heated it a few times in the past so it's something i would want to do before i take it on long trips.

i asked a reputable LR guy in perth and he quoted me about 2200. what i was expecting. he claims though, its about 11 hours worth of labour. i thought the head gaskets on 300tdi were fairly easy job. does 11 hours sound right for a professional? i was going to tackle it myself but if it takes them 11 hours i would estimate it takes me 110 hours.

also he said he takes the head to a guy he knows and gets it overhauled and machined etc. at about $700 (included in the 2200). is this something which is recommended? i know it would probably be a good idea to have it at least checked by a head specialist but he says by the time they check it you may as well get it all done.

just after some extra advice here on what you guys think. how long do you estimate the job would take and whether i would just get it overhauled whilst out.

he mentioned the heads hollowing out on the mating surface and this guy changes it so it buldges instead and fixes this issue permanently.

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

Sounds interesting, did he also design the Hiclone?
Bulge the head, sort of like warping it?
Re your previous over heating make sure the block is ok 1st
Others more knowledgeable mechanics on here would no doubt be interested in this permanent fix by bulging
Cheers,
Mario

don't quote me directly on that, sorry. it is how i understood it. the guy is very well known in perth for landrovers, so what he says has credibility. it is just my way of interpreting it that may alter that credibility to others hearing it. he did say the head would be completely overhauled etc. using the parts i got from you last week and any others if need be.

i will speak to him again and get him to explain in more detail and post it here.

what do you need to check on the block? weeping? mating surface block to head? when i say overheated, was the needle going up over halfway twice when i was coming back fully loaded from a trip last year. when i slowed down the needle went back down but i know that these guys wont move until the engine is quite hot.

i was going to tackle this myself but there is always 100 more things that turn up when i start a job. i want to make sure the job is done right and with this guy you can be guaranteed that. i've spent too much time on the car. i want to spend time with my wife more and also going on trips with the car instead of always in the garage. i need it reliable for touring and also i have my first child on the way want a car which i wont have to worry as much and spend only the minimal time on it (in landrover terms).

i have rang a few places and price seems to be about the same +-$400. some offer same amount of work and others only do straight head swap etc. i had a look at just getting the head done if i pull it out and prices were all 900+. the bulk of that cost according to him is labour. the 11 hours. but he includes a lot of extras in that to make sure it's a long lasting job.

thanks for your help mario. also thanks for your info too tank.

I could buy into $2200 for a head gasket change IF

it included a head over haul (including all work from decking including a hardness check and reharden if needed, new gaskets all around and a full fluid service on the engine bay, deck measure up, block pressure test and IF the head was not salvagable if it needed to be then the quoted value for the head works would be subtracted from the part price of the replacement head


Maybe $1000-$1200 for a clean, meausure and replace all gaskets/fluids.

Three and a half years ago I cooked my Tdi till it would no longer run. To this day I still don't know why it stopped.

Got it towed home and pulled off the head. Pistons and bore were ok but I could see minor cracks in the head.

Ordered a new performance head from Turner's in the Uk.
It took seven days to arrive and cost just under 1k and this included gasket, bolts, and freight, complete head ready to bolt on.

Admittedly our dollar was better then, however you can still get a stock head from Paddocks for about $600 plus freight.

LDF500180COM | Complete Cylinder Head - New Style - 300TDI

If it was me I would just order a new head and have it ready before removing the old one.

I can't remember how long it took, but I reckon it was no more than 8 hours tops.

At 8 hours, you should be able to have it done with a brand new head for 2k

Another option is Roverlord in Melb. Head with bolts and gasket $960 plus $200 freight. They usually give a discount to AULROians

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LAND-ROVE...item2a54ccdf6f

Originally Posted by d2dave

Three and a half years ago I cooked my Tdi till it would no longer run. To this day I still don't know why it stopped.

Got it towed home and pulled off the head. Pistons and bore were ok but I could see minor cracks in the head.

Ordered a new performance head from Turner's in the Uk.
It took seven days to arrive and cost just under 1k and this included gasket, bolts, and freight, complete head ready to bolt on.

Admittedly our dollar was better then, however you can still get a stock head from Paddocks for about $600 plus freight.

LDF500180COM | Complete Cylinder Head - New Style - 300TDI

If it was me I would just order a new head and have it ready before removing the old one.

I can't remember how long it took, but I reckon it was no more than 8 hours tops.

At 8 hours, you should be able to have it done with a brand new head for 2k

Another option is Roverlord in Melb. Head with bolts and gasket $960 plus $200 freight. They usually give a discount to AULROians

Land Rover Discovery 300TDI Defender 300TDI Complete Cylinder Head LDF500180 | eBay

how good are you on the spanners though? i'd say i'm above average but obviously no expert.

i recently pulled the gearbox and transfer out and did rear main and clutch change and the seals on the boxes. how does head gasket change measure up with that job in terms of difficulty?

i hear from everyone that on 300tdi it's a pretty simple job. but i always seem to learn soemthing new whilst doing it and get trapped into doing more and more. i want to do it right so i dont have to worry about it for a long time. so i am in a hard spot right now. pay s..tloads and know it's done right or do it myself and save lots of $ but always have doubt.

I am a retired spanner. I would rate it probably easier than doing the gearbox/clutch.

With the help from this place I am sure you could manage it ok.

I am happy to offer any help. If you want I will happily give you my phone number to help and discuss this if you wish.

Originally Posted by d2dave

I am a retired spanner. I would rate it probably easier than doing the gearbox/clutch.

With the help from this place I am sure you could manage it ok.

I am happy to offer any help. If you want I will happily give you my phone number to help and discuss this if you wish.

that would be very much appreciated. thanks.

i'm reading a few threads from here and another forum. job looks fairly easy as stated but they all seem to have forked out about 1500 to 1700 anyway by doing it themselves. i thought if i was doing it would cost me far less. unless the head needs to be overhauled.

i bought complete kit from mario the other day, maybe if you read this mario does that kit include every seal/washer i need for the job? without including the half moon ones i think. do they need to be changed too?