sportrack head gasket

Forum: 

I just bought a sportrack 6 weeks ago run around local no problems whent on long run over heated on motorway, AA said head gasket took head off looked ok no big blow on gasket! but a lot of little pin holes over water ways, as no where much open we cleaned it up fitted new head gasket,wont start got wet in no 3/2 but not blowing out of rad just water moveing as nom.Dont know which way to go any ideas wellcom Adrian

180 degrees out !

You have fitted the distributor 180 degrees out and its firing on exhaust stroke. I posted message on this site over Christmas, giving method to refit a distributor on compression stroke. Search and you will find my post.

We didt take distributor out

We didt take distributor out maked cam lifted head off with inlet manifold ect still on so should have been ok,or can this happen?

Check the method ...............

My guess is when you finger-test for compression in cylinder 1, you will find the rotor arm is not pointing to HT lead of number 1 cylinder.
------------------------------------------

1. Remove 'number 1' spark plug - the cylinder nearest the radiator.
2. Put a finger over the plug hole.
3. By hand/or push in first gear, turn the engine slowly and feel for compression stroke : keep your finger over plug hole and feel the pressure. On maximum compression the engine would be about to 'spark'. NB ... engine revolves twice - exhaust then compression. You need the compression stroke with piston at maximum stroke. Leave engine as compressed.
4. Note [for refitting] the relative position of the distributor. Before releasing the distributor - MOST IMPORTANT YOU MUST NOTE THE POSITION OF THE ROTOR ARM IN RELATION TO THE CARBON BRUSHES IN THE DISTRIBUTOR's CAP ..... NOTE TO WHICH CARBON BRUSH/HT LEAD THE ROTOR POINTS. WHEN REPLACING THE DISTRIBUTOR THIS SETTING MUST BE RETURNED. THE ROTOR ARM SHOULD BE POINTING TO THE CYLINDER HT LEAD FOR NUMBER 1 SPARK PLUG/CYLINDER.
5. Remove the distributor from the engine.Dismantle and replace contacts. [also clean/lightly oil the centrifugal weights if you can access then within the distributors body] Fix and set contact breaker gap to 1mm before replacing the distributor.
6. Reconnect the distributor in origional position. Now twist the distributor body until the contact points JUST close. Tighten the distributor. Fit the distributor cap and CHECK ITS POSTION MATCHES THE PREVIOUS SETTING AS IN [4] ABOVE. If not in correct position remove the distributor and reposition it.
7. Engine can now be turned by hand. Set the flywheel to recommended degree bftc. Use a strob light or 12v bulb to check the engine timing is correct. Adjust if necessary by twisting the distributor ... retighten when correct.

Just to make sure head is

Just to make sure head is not warped we have striped it right out and are haveing it checked and skimed on friday if needs be, then will rebuild from scratch, have got cd. hope this works.

Well we need help now! Had

Well we need help now! Had head checked it was warped, so skimed it fitted all back together had to tow start it run a treat went up road after half mile water leaking from we think water pump but water also from exhaust to much for condisaion, i thought only way water could get to exhaust was through head? Anybody had this problem? (should have stuck to land rover)

Sounds bad!

Exhaust water is condensation or head leakage problem. I assume you tightened the head to correct torque in correct sequence. Wrong sequence and the head will not be seated correct --- could warp if bolts are incorrectly tightened. Any possiblity the gasket got kinked or damaged?
Did it run OK before the water came from the exhaust?
Will it start on the starter or is it dead?

Water pump is near the radiator. Did you remove it when doing the head gasket?

Yes gasket was ok tightened

Yes gasket was ok tightened head to correct torque and sequence.yes run ok still runs sweet start on key now no problem sounds good drives as it should,Just looked at cd lot small pipes around inlet manifold if we got one wrong would it put water in inlet? if so would it not make engine miss? will take water pump off in morning,any more ideas wellcome more heads the better.Adrian

Pipes.

Sporty does kick out loads of condensation until the engine is well and truly hot. Its cold today and that makes the condensation more visible .... water will drip from the exhaust outlet until all the water vapour disappears in the hot exhaust gas.
Best thing to do is to top up the coolant reservoir and take Sporty for a ride. Let it cool and check the coolant reservoir level.

Use the CD pics and check the small pipe usage.

You could pull the spark plugs and look if they are water wet.

Thanks

Well we fixed it! had to fit new water pump (seal gone)We were sill worryed about condesion from exhaust but took advice from mace went for run and it cleared so MANY THANKS to him and all the others for your help. Old story you cant beat experience! once again many thanks chaps. Regards Adrian