5 replies to this topic

[juchong]

Hi everyone!

 

I managed to successfully replace the head gasket over the weekend on my 998cc, 1985, MKV Mini and while driving it today noticed a new sound. When taking off from 1st gear, I hear a single clunk when I fully release the clutch. I also feel the clunk in the clutch pedal. The sound is most prominent when taking off from first gear.

 

Any idea what could be causing it? 

 

Thanks!

Edited by juchong, 29 June 2017 - 01:46 AM.

[slidehammer]

As the head has no relationship to the clutch workings, I would start by checking the engine steady bushes and engine mounts. They might have given up the ghost whilst you were wriggling the head off, especially if it required force to start the head moving on the studs.

[nicklouse]

did you forget to tighten everything back together?

 

often the engine steadies are undone to allow engine movment to get manifolds off and on.

 

did you re fit bolts? did you over tighen them and they have now failed?

 

check your work.

[Cooperman]

Check:

 

Sub-frame mountings

Engine steadies

Free-play in diff (hold one drive shaft and turn the other both ways)

Exhaust system clearance to body.

[juchong]

did you forget to tighten everything back together?

 

often the engine steadies are undone to allow engine movment to get manifolds off and on.

 

did you re fit bolts? did you over tighen them and they have now failed?

 

check your work.

 

I only undid the engine steady bar, but I didn't check any of the other engine mounting points. I re-fit the one bolt on the frame-side of the support and tightened, but I could have over-tightened, too. I also supported the exhaust with a jack, so there's a possibility that clearances aren't the same anymore either. 

 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! 

[juchong]

Following up on this, it looks like the bushings in the engine steady bar were bad. Replaced them with a new set and the car is running great now!

 

Thanks folks!