cylinder head

[1976 jackie]

Our 1998 Turbo Diesel Fiat ulysse ( peugeot engine ) timing belt snapped and caused considerable damage. My dad replaced all cam shafts etc. The cylinder head was skimmed and put back in with new gasket bolts and temp gauge. After, we noticed the water was low and kept replacing it but it seemed to take more all the time. So we then replaced the raidiator which was not in great condition. We were advised not to put coolent in untill we were sure there was no leaks. So we checked the water level every morning and night for a couple of days and it seemed to level off, but after going out for a run in it the temperature gauge shot up in seconds and the automatic cut off kicked in and the car stopped. When we opened the bonnet the engine was sizzling and there was no water in the engine at all ( ob going into cylinder head). We have now stripped it back down and are being advised to have the head skimmed again as its scratched and one of the rings on the gasket is cracked so that will have to be replaced again. Can anyone tell us where we went wrong and if it would be advisable to do this again?

[jake-the-peg]

When you put the head back on were the bolts tightened in the correct sequence and to the correct torque?

Are you certain that the head wasn't scratched as it was being put back onto the block?

When you put the head back on and refilled the coolant system did you make sure there were no air locks. Some engines have a bleed screw at the topmost point of the coolant system so you can let out any air that might stop circulation.

(If there was no coolant in the system at all this last one is unlikely - only if you're over heating with a full radiator)

[qapmoc]

As it is a turbo diesel you can't skim the head too much or the compression ratio will be so high that it will cause other stress related problems in the engine. Check this out with an expert on that particular engine before doing another skim.

[1976 jackie]

yes the bolts were tightened in sequence but unsure if it was torqued? dont think it was scratched on the way back in
have checked with expert and he says it can be skimmed again as he didnt take much off the first time

[tomtech]

it is possible you damaged the head and gasket when refitting.i cannot stress enough the importance of care when doing a job like this. the mating surfaces should be absolutely clean, the threads in the block should be cleaned out with a tap, and using two guide bolts the head must be gently lowered on to the block. of course the tightening procedure is of the utmost importance.the one thing you should have done while the head was off was have it pressure tested. this will cost around thirty pounds but well worth it. if the head fails the pressure test then all the skimming in the world aint gonna help.

[1976 jackie]

ok the head just going away to be skimmed again we will get it pressure tested first and make sure the tightning process is done right this time thanks for your help