Have to face it - heads gone (join the list)

[Scuddy]

After finally wrestling in denial for the last 5 weeks, I finally have to face it that the head has gone on my beloved 2.4 TD

It's been with a local garage for this time whilst the mechanic has been poking and prodding it, trying to convince himself (or more to the point give me some hope) that it wasn't a head problem. We've explored all the avenues with water circulation, thermostats, pressure caps, water pump, air locks, you name it (luckily his labour rates are very good and he doesn't keep to tight a grip on the hours he expends).
Unfortunaltely we have to concede its a head problem. Now's the dilema. I have a v. pregnant wife who will pop any day now and the original plan was to upgrade from the 2 door I have to a more suitable 4 door (after these experiences it will have to be a 3 litre). Huh just my luck, soon as I mention getting rid she blows a head (definitely a female surf this one). Funds are tight at the moment and I don't see me being offered much more than £1000, if I'm lucky, for it with a crock head.
The mechanic is sucking his teeth at the prospect of changing the head (neither too keen nor confident) and my wallet is having a cardiac. Question is what to do...being is northern Scotland, Surfs are rare as the proverbial rocking horse poop, if I was home in Reading I'd just patch up and bung her in on a trade in... If I want a decent 4 wheel drive up here I may have to look at changing make Wash your mouth out...there just aren't any for sale!!!

Last resort is to go it alone and change myself. I have done a 1.3 escort but this is a whole new ball game. Stevo recons a qualified mechanic familiar with surfs can have one off and back on in a day...best make that a week to a month for me then!

Anyone please help or provide spiritual guidance, my faith in surfdom is taking a severe battering at the moment.

TTFN
Scuddy

[marky]

STEVO did mine in 24 hours. I was in the same boat worthless as it was. So i had to have it done as i love the surf, If you can afford it get it done then in a few months part ex for a 4 door 3litre one.
As it was it was worth £1000 id have lost around £5000. With the new head its worth a lot more & it shouldnt go again.

[Scuddy]

Thanks for the advice Marky
I know it makes sense to change, run it for a few months and then trade in (at least get something out of the investment). If I were on STEVO's doorstep I'd round like a shot but 400 miles to merseyside with a blown head is a long way. Hardly anyone deals with surfs up here, practically scared of them (at least 2 garages have turned me away)....aaaahhh. Trouble is the wifes now seeing the truck as a bottomless pit of money, liitle does she know she's about to give birth to a true one!!! (not a truck that is)

Oh the fun of it, still it's only money after all I can soon pick some more off the tree

Oh the

[marky]

STEVE has had surfs in his garage from Scotland & other far away places. drive down then fly back. The cost will still be a lot cheaper than any garage.

[Scuddy]

I've decided to sod the expense and get the head done...I gave up booze and tabs for the New Year so I'll have the money in 2 weeks...ha..ha

I realise I'm getting withdrawls from not driving her...only 5 days to go and countin' its like Xmas all over again!! The grins comin' back

Scuddy

[mickey]

hi scuddy,sorry to hear about your head problem.forgive me for going off at a tangent,but i suppose now the diagnosis has been made,and action being taken,not much else to be said...a few months back,you posted a thread regarding a throaty air intake,i found the thread whilst doing a search,as i have a similar sound on my 3 ltr.if you dont mind,could you take a peek at my thread in the 3 ltr section,titled "engine noise" to see if its the same symptoms,if so,did you find the problem,or is the head cracking,part of the same issue?thanks in advance mate.

[marky]

Check the ribbed hose that comes from the air filter for splits.

[Scuddy]

hi scuddy,sorry to hear about your head problem.forgive me for going off at a tangent,but i suppose now the diagnosis has been made,and action being taken,not much else to be said...a few months back,you posted a thread regarding a throaty air intake,i found the thread whilst doing a search,as i have a similar sound on my 3 ltr.if you dont mind,could you take a peek at my thread in the 3 ltr section,titled "engine noise" to see if its the same symptoms,if so,did you find the problem,or is the head cracking,part of the same issue?thanks in advance mate.

Hi Mickey

Casting my mind back I reckon the two were not related. I removed all the intake hoses up to the turbo and the crank case vent, cleaned them out, thightened all connections and replaced air filter and that did the trick. I think it was an induction resonance noise in the filter housing

Cheers Scuddy