Thread: Head Gasket on TD5

Originally Posted by jonharper

Appreciate the feedback blknight.aus yeh i suspect i just got unlucky with it. the way it's leaking now theres no way they wouldve missed it. Doesn't look like the coolant has eaten into the block, would it be fairly safe to assume it would be worth cracking on with?

Planning to overhaul entire cooling system with oem or genuine parts.

cheers mate

The blocks are pretty safe from cooling system damage but with that much corrosion to the head I'd be tempted to pull the engine and redo all the plugs seals and fittings.

Totally agree with PhillipA on the assessment and not naming thing.
When I got mine it did the same thing. Luckily I had a warranty ( car yard, who'd have thunk ) through RACV. Mech told me he was stunned that mine had made 245,000 k without blowing, cos the plastic dowels didn't last that long. Warranty paid for it. Yours did longer.

You've had some great guys offer opinions and help here. Take them up on it. My head was fine, so dunno about that.

Roverlord are the best. BLKnight ( Dave ) is apparently a genius with the spanners and generous with his time, and he offers genuinely.

TD5s are not hugely difficult, but the shops see $$$$$ when you come in. Now is the time to take something from this place. Pay it forward when it's your turn. That's why you joined.

Just a caution I said use genuine head bolts
I learned the hard way with the gasket blowing 12 months or so after the first head replacement

Aftermarket might be ok but they might not be

I guess the same can be said with genuine but at least you should have some comeback

My head gasket failed the first time as I used OEM bolts and to they come loose, but running 28psi does stress the motor out

Originally Posted by Kaaaiju

My head gasket failed the first time as I used OEM bolts and to they come loose, but running 28psi does stress the motor out

A bit of extras angle on the re-tension second time around?

Originally Posted by djam1

Just a caution I said use genuine head bolts
I learned the hard way with the gasket blowing 12 months or so after the first head replacement

Aftermarket might be ok but they might not be

I guess the same can be said with genuine but at least you should have some comeback

Already have the new genuines sitting on the shelf bud. Thank you

Originally Posted by rick130

A bit of extras angle on the re-tension second time around?

negative....

generally the issue that the td5s suffer with non cheesium OEM head bolts is not cleaning out the threads in the block, not lubing the threads on the bolts correctly and not cleaning then lubing the underside of the bolt face and head points then not going through the intitial torque settings 2-3 times to make sure they are all set.

not letting the bolts settle for 5-10 minutes between angle torques can casue issues too.

What's the reason to let them rest between? RAVE doesn't state that

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

negative....

generally the issue that the td5s suffer with non cheesium OEM head bolts is not cleaning out the threads in the block, not lubing the threads on the bolts correctly and not cleaning then lubing the underside of the bolt face and head points then not going through the intitial torque settings 2-3 times to make sure they are all set.

not letting the bolts settle for 5-10 minutes between angle torques can casue issues too.