31 replies to this topic

[dklawson]

Right a big problem, slacking the head off to stop it warping and placing the rockers back on to try and stop the head lifting whilst cranking it over testing for oil did not work and water went all into the pistons everywhere past the gasket. Stripped it down in 20 mins and ordered some new gaskets. I still can't see much oil coming through but the hole. I will check tomorrow and see if it comes through block.

Sorry this is being so difficult. Out of curiosity... when you went through the steps you described above, you DID remove the spark plugs didn't you? If you forgot to remove the plugs when you removed the rocker shaft assembly the compression will have been what lifted the head off the block and caused your coolant leakage.

[Ethel]

Look on the bright side, without the water you might not have realised the head gasket had lost its seal until you had it all back together.

You should be able to get enough pressure to put the oil warning light out by cranking the engine with the plugs out, though it may not go out until the engine starts under normal use ( a short burst of the starter with the plugs in). since you've got the head off you may as well give it a short spin to see if oil at least gets out of the block

[thebullet]

Look on the bright side, without the water you might not have realised the head gasket had lost its seal until you had it all back together.

You should be able to get enough pressure to put the oil warning light out by cranking the engine with the plugs out, though it may not go out until the engine starts under normal use ( a short burst of the starter with the plugs in). since you've got the head off you may as well give it a short spin to see if oil at least gets out of the block

This is what I thought yes! Gaskets will arrive tomorrow. I am going to do this later, if not, It would also have saved alot of trouble if I had decided to put it back togethor before testing it coming out of the block. If oil dosen't come out, it could be a problem with the oil pressure release valve? possibly stuck? This can be taken off easy anyway.

[Ethel]

I think you'd still see oil even with a stuck relief valve, it's an open hole. Personally, I'd be surprised if you don't if all you've had off is the head; it doesn't hurt to be sure though.

[thebullet]

Well, there was oil around the bottom of the rocker shaft just not loads like there should be splashing about, maybe when driving more comes? but someone I know is taking the whole bigger on number 1 of the pedestals to match the whole on the head better in hope this will improve things.

[bmcecosse]

My concern is that the oil pressure is really really low - a gauge is the TOP priority - you NEED to know what oil pressure the engine has. With plugs out - spinning on the starter - the oil light MUST go out - and oil should come out of the rocker feed hole in the head. Check this before you refit the rockers.

[thebullet]

So when running on the starter the oil light should go out? Well this isn't happening, I will have a check later, but the brand new battery which I bought from halfords is doing basically nothing, worst than the battery that was replaced! isn't turning it over fast enough I think for the light to go out. I am taking this back!

[thebullet]

My concern is that the oil pressure is really really low - a gauge is the TOP priority - you NEED to know what oil pressure the engine has. With plugs out - spinning on the starter - the oil light MUST go out - and oil should come out of the rocker feed hole in the head. Check this before you refit the rockers.

Right, I had the head off already so looking at the oil feed hole on the block I cranked it over with the plugs out. The oil light didn't go out and no oil came through the hole!

What can be wrong here? is it because that the head is off and needs to be on for the oil to come through?

Edited by thebullet, 02 September 2010 - 08:37 PM.

[Dan]

It's unlikely you'll ever get enough pressure to switch the light off with the head off, there's a massive hole in the oil system!

Oil should very much be surging out of the gallery though. Have you any flow at all? Does oil pump from the pressure switch tapping if you crank it over with the switch removed?

[thebullet]

It's unlikely you'll ever get enough pressure to switch the light off with the head off, there's a massive hole in the oil system!

Oil should very much be surging out of the gallery though. Have you any flow at all? Does oil pump from the pressure switch tapping if you crank it over with the switch removed?

Nothing at all! Havn't tried cranking with the switch removed and will do. But this is puzzling and I don't want to put the head back on with the new gasket to find there is no oil!

I took the rockers apart and found the the shaft and rocker holes were solid, no wonder no oil was getting through! these are now completely free, before you couldn't see light through them. But not knowing there is any oil is even more confusing, a bit stuck as what to do.

[bmcecosse]

With cold oil - and only that little feed hole lying open - I would expect the oil light to go out and a small fountain of oil from the hole! Charge the battery - and if possible also use jump leads from another (running) car. With no head on - the starter should be flying that engine round at a huge rate of knots!!

[thebullet]

With cold oil - and only that little feed hole lying open - I would expect the oil light to go out and a small fountain of oil from the hole! Charge the battery - and if possible also use jump leads from another (running) car. With no head on - the starter should be flying that engine round at a huge rate of knots!!

Well, this is another problem, Brand new battery from halfords hardly turns it over with the plugs out and head off! It's been on charge all day and still is no good. Will have to get this replaced!

Might jump it using another car tomorrow night and see what happens. It's one of those things that you need to find out and can't do anything untill it has been sorted out found out.


Thanks guys.

[bmcecosse]

Does the engine turn easily enough by hand ??????????? If so - then look at bad connections at the battery and is the earth lead connected between engine and body ??

[thebullet]

Does the engine turn easily enough by hand ??????????? If so - then look at bad connections at the battery and is the earth lead connected between engine and body ??

Well, I think the connections are ok as it's the way the battery gradually gets slower rather than slow all the time if you know what I mean?

[bmcecosse]

Could still be connections - just as long as the engine has been assembled correctly - and isn't 'tight'.