Operation Head Gakset

[corse_ican]

Hello All,

Got my Sister's X12XE. Head gasket and timing chain to be replaced.

Am working my way towards removing the head. Today I found this mess inside the old thermostat housing:



Looks like someone was enthusiastic with silicone sealer. It was like this, wedged in-between the spring so am thinking that it may have inhibited proper function of the thermostat to assist in the gasket cookery? Hmmm.

I shall continue to dismantle, and post my findings.

[andy w]

Hi and welcome is urs the 8v or 16v model

[johnny]

That stat is well f**k

If you need a help with anything post and we will do our best to help:)

Andy- its 16v the x prefex engines are all 16 or 12 for the 1.0, 8vs have a c or no prefex, then theres the z prefex but you wont hear of them on this site as there 2001-present and its alot of work to put one in a b, hope it clears it up lol

[andy w]

Ok lol couldn't remember mind went blank haha

[corse_ican]

Hi and thanks for the welcome,

Yes, it's a 16v 1.2 litre.

Photo Update:

OK, so it looks like it was running hot. Cylinder 3 has sustained some damage:


Here's one of the head. Valves are OK.


A close-up of the head, over Cylinder 3.


Piston in cylinder 3


Another shot of the same piston no3


The bore wall on cylinder 3 shows some light vertical scoring


The other side of the same cylinder wall


Getting the head off to the shop tomorrow to be sorted.

The damage in the block doesn't seem totally catastrophic.

Dropped the sump and baffle. Bottom end is fine. The valves are all OK. Do you folks reckon it'll be OK to go back together as is, once the head is rebuilt?

thanks all

[johnny]

Piston looks damaged, and that bore will need work, tbh looking at it you could be better getting a new block or even a complete engine

[rsi-dan]

Imo it prob easyer and cheaper getting a new engine dropped in

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[andy w]

I agree would go for block or engine. Its would be easier and cheaper in the long run for ya buddy

[corse_ican]

Thanks for the suggestions,

As a less costly option, does replacing piston 3 and giving a slight hone to the bore seem workable?

Thanks

[johnny]

A new block will be your cheapest option,

It could cost a couple hundread just to get the bore sorted, and when its done the bore will be to big for the standard piston

[corse_ican]

Thanks for the responses guys,

Just got back from the machine shop, and they said something has been bouncing around and at some point seized no.3. They also gave the same advice regarding the best way forward.

A replacement engine, it is.

[andy w]

Glad your doing that mate would be the best thing do in the long run but keep the other engine for replacement parts you may need in the future

[corse_ican]

As I'm dealing with an AUTOMATIC Corsa-b 1.2 here, I'm wondering on the best way to get the new engine in which should turn up on Thursday.

I know I'll have to fit the original flywheel and torque converter (oh and orig ECU).

Question is should I build the new engine and box outside of the engine bay, and then drop it all in?

Or lower the new engine in and couple up to the box inside the engine bay? Enough clearance?

I'll be using an engine hoist/crane, and am hoping to lower the new engine in from above.

What's best?

[johnny]

id drop the engine and connect the box in the bay

[corse_ican]

Yep, it'll be the same spec engine coming in.

Ok cool. Nice one.

Thank you