Where do the heads fail?

[Wolfracer]

Just seen mine and there are cracks in between the valve ports. The worst one is raised on one side, so can assume the crack runs all the way through the block to the cooling channel.
There are also corresponding marks in the cylinder nearest the bulkhead showing water invasion.

Does a failing head make any noises? Mine was abit "buzzy" prior to it failing. If there is an indicative noise it may be of help to others, especially buyers, in the future....

Any thoughts?

[KERRSURF]

mine cracked in 6 places, no warning noises, just clouds of white smoke and pressure in the cooling system, bubbling of exhaust gases.

[mud skipper]

no audiable noises on mine.


BTW my new head is in the engine specialist at the mo, awaiting check over, visual check with a flat edge showed no warps and no visable probs but will be fully checked over and should be back with me by end of the week,

it cost me £599+VAT+delivery from roughtrax 2 months ago, as it has only covered less than 100 miles, am i being too hopefull asking £500 for it inc delivery??

[malxwal]

Excuse my ignorance, but is the 130 a cast or alu head ?
I've seen loads of alu heads on a variety of different engines develop cracks between the valves, which are just superficial and not into the water jacket, However even on a cast iron head , it's not always cut and dried that the head is scrap. A proper pressure test is always the way forward.

[TonyN]

It's scrap, LOL, anything else is just wishful thing.

LN130s are cast, KZN130s are ally. If its got any visable cracks between the valves its toast, thats where the water chamber goes between the valves, if it looks mint then still get it pressure tested.

The only cracks you don't have to worry about are small ones in the precombustion chamber inserts.

[malxwal]

Aye, fair comment. I have seen the (very) occasional Daihatsu Fourtrak head that survived a rigorous pressure test to live another day (or two), but it's generally game over when there's cracks in a cast head. Sorry...

[Wolfracer]

Mine is ally, but these are serious cracks! The cooling system is pressurising seconds after starting the engine and gases are evident in the rad - Smokin'! even from cold so def not water vapours....
Gasket was ok. no trace lines on head face from where water might have been getting in/gases escaping.
So unless there's another reason. I reckon my head's fubar'd.

[Wolfracer]

no audiable noises on mine.


BTW my new head is in the engine specialist at the mo, awaiting check over, visual check with a flat edge showed no warps and no visable probs but will be fully checked over and should be back with me by end of the week,

it cost me £599+VAT+delivery from roughtrax 2 months ago, as it has only covered less than 100 miles iam i being too hopefull asking £500 for it?

Ball park, yeah, sounds about right, delivered. Problem is R'trax have got my order now, but hold on to it, I'm sure there'll be another surf blowing its head pretty soon!

And as the Carriage was the same, no matter what I added to my shopping cart, I got oil filter, alternator belts and "a couple of +2" springs the garage insisted I needed

[mud skipper]

no worries, theres plenty out there.

good luck with yours.

[Hazzo]

No gurgling, overheating, noises, nothing, thermostat stuck during a run, blew smoke on startup after changing stat, rad top up about an inch a day run fine for 5 months till the final week it was starting a bit lumpy, then hydrolocked on me one morning so had to pull the head, cracks between 1,2,3 pot valves.

New head, cranked for 20 seconds, pumped fuel, fired first turn and running fine. H

[Chillitt]

Has anyone said 'At the top of a long dragging hill' yet?

[Wolfracer]

Has anyone said 'At the top of a long dragging hill' yet?

nice one,

I believe mine started chasing an L200.....!

[Hazzo]

At the top of a long dragging hill I was hitting 90 in mine driving like I stole it after changing the filters, no slow down, no lack of power, no smoke, next day, no start. H