Head Gasket Help

[flyingj]

HI JUST BEEN TO HAVE A SNIFFER TEST DONE ON MY KZN 185, IT FAILED, WHATS BEATING ME IS THAT THE CAR HAS NEVER OVERHEATED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT NOT DRANK ANY WATER. WHAT HAPPENED IS THAT I NOTICED THAT IT WAS A BIT LUMPY ON THE START WHICH LASTED FOR ABOUT TEN SECONDS WHICH THEN CLEARED, THEN I NOTICED WHEN THE WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAS THE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE EXHAUST, ASKED A FEW PEOPLE THAT LED ME FOR THE BAD NEWS, WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS
I THINK I MIGHT GIVE IT A GO, NOT THAT CONFIDENT TO TAKE IT OUT AND REPAIR. GOT A QUOTE FOR A BUILT HEAD FOR ABOUT 599+VAT IS IT WITHIN A DIY,ER WITH LIMITED EXPERIENCE, AND WHAT ELSE WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED SO I CAN GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS AT STAKE WITH PRICING THE JOB, MY 1996 SURF IS LIKE NEW CONDITION, I CANT LET IT GO FOR PEANUTS ON FLEABAY
HAS ANYBODY HAD THE SAME SYMTOMS WAS WONDERING IF IT WOULD BE JUST THE GASKET OR COULD IT BE A CRACKED HEAD

[sledge]

theres a chance it could be the gasket but, what with the way surfs are, i'd say the head the only way your know for sure is to take the head off and get it tested if you can't see any cracks

[flyingj]

Are They Quite Straight Forward To Take Off????, For Sure I Would Get A New Cam Belt And Tentioners Would It Be Advisable To Change The Water Pump.... Another Thing That I Had Noticed Since Owning The Surf For 3 Years Is That I Could Here Water Gurgling Through The Heater Matix From Within The Car For The First Minite Or 2 When Starting Up Dont Know If This Has Anyting To Do With It
Alex

[sledge]

not sure as i own a 2nd gen, but the other boys who have a 3rd gen will know more or ask tonyn or stevo

[flyingj]

Thanks Mate Will Try To Get Hold Of Those Guys, Does Stevo Have A Link Cause A Lot Of People Have Mentioned Him With Regards To Cyl, Heads

[sledge]

look right at the top of the page, and thats his company

[flyingj]

that was easy cheers i think that i need the big hammer