Any quick fix-leaky head gasket 1.8T?

[billh]

I've had a slight coolant leak for some time. finally found the source today.
A dribble from where the middle of the exhaust manifold is bolted to the head. The head gasket was replaced about 5k miles ago and the engine runs fine as long as I top up the coolant from time to time. No mayo in the oil, no oil in the expansion tank. Rather odd , but I also found all the manifold nuts to be loose, they were tight when I changed the HG- I can't see how that would cause a coolant leak?So, any ideas for a quick fix or do I need a new HG again (groan)? Worse case scenario- cracked head???Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by billh

... any ideas for a quick fix ...

Put all thoughts of that out of your mind Rob. Under no circumstances use K-Seal or equivalent.

I'm not an expert on the 1.8T but there are technically minded members who are. They will advise you but on the face of it I don't see any immediate signs of head gasket failure.

Simon

[billh]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Put all thoughts of that out of your mind Rob. Under no circumstances use K-Seal or equivalent.



Simon

I wasn't thinking Kseal or anything like that! More like tightening the head bolts a bit more , though that might create other problems. I did follow the recommended torque settings and sequence when I replaced the HG.

[roverbarmy]

Are you sure that it is not an INLET manifold leak? That's a usual culprit. They can warp a little. Usually misfire a bit on start up, then clears. Exhaust can occasionally be a bit steamy.

[DMGRS]

I'd be doubly-sure it's not an inlet manifold gasket leak as mentioned - these can run around the front of the head.

If it is the head gasket, which kit did you use - and if it's a MLS gasket did you check the liner heights?
Usually an external coolant leak is the result of fitting the MLS gasket to an engine with low or uneven liners; we see a lot of it these days as the engines age and tolerances fall out of spec.

Best bet if you do it again would be to fit an Elastomer kit such as this: https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/products/k-s...t-set-full-kit
We've sold hundreds of these, and supply them to the MG Rover mobile mechanics out there too. Great bit of kit

[Matt_75]

Originally Posted by DMGRS

I'd be doubly-sure it's not an inlet manifold gasket leak as mentioned - these can run around the front of the head.

I had this on a previous car, managed to get a video of the leak in action: https://youtube.com/shorts/-5G-QtuS9...bhQ9qLFP1Z75t4

A new inlet manifold gasket from DMGRS sorted it

[suzublu]

Originally Posted by Matt_75

I had this on a previous car, managed to get a video of the leak in action: https://youtube.com/shorts/-5G-QtuS9...bhQ9qLFP1Z75t4



A new inlet manifold gasket from DMGRS sorted it

Or a vvc inlet manifold 😎 won't leak again 👍

Sent from my SM-A145R using Tapatalk

[billh]

Originally Posted by Matt_75

I had this on a previous car, managed to get a video of the leak in action: https://youtube.com/shorts/-5G-QtuS9...bhQ9qLFP1Z75t4

A new inlet manifold gasket from DMGRS sorted it

An interesting video, i need to revisit the inlet manifold! The leak appears to come off the front of the engine between 2 and 3 cylinders , so apparently travels a long way horizontally from inlet area before running off the bottom of the bell housing. The HG is an elastomer type from DMGRS. Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions.