Head Gasket Help, on Holidays Near Exmouth

[Owen]

Hello, can you help please?
My 1992, 190E 1.8, 90K has just started to leak coolant with no sign of a external leak.There is no sign of oil in water or water in oil but I have noticed excess steam and water dripping from the tail pipe and the engine idles erratically.
Firstly is there anything I should check or is this 100% sign of a head gasket failure?
If the gasket is gone can anyone recomend a garage in the area that will do a good job at the right price?
I would be very grateful for any help or advice!
Thanks!
Owen

 

[flagstaff]

it sounds unlikely to be the head gasket - to me, at least. there would normally be water dripping from the exhaust, especially at idle and if the engine is not fully warmed up. you may have a pinhole leak in the radiator, the emerging coolant from which would be very hard to spot unless the motor is fully warmed and pressured. there is also a coolant pipe running to the rear of the cylinder head (left hand, when looking from the front of the car) that has a habit of disintegrating on the rear and the underside where it meets the cylinder head - again, hard to spot unless you're actively looking, and you have a torch on it. good luck!

 

[paulcallender]

You should check the security of all the coolant hose fittings, for one. It might be as simple as this. If its up to temperature, then it wouldn't leak water, but steam, which might be difficult to see this time of year. I only suggest this, on the basis that tightening a hose clip is way quicker than changing a head gasket.

As I'm sure you'll find in other posts (plug for search feature here), the 100% test for a blown head gasket is a cylinder leakdown test.

If you're on holiday at the moment, I'd just keep topping it up until you're at home.

 

[Owen]

Thanks for the advice. Ill check all the hoses etc again, hopefuly something simple will show up.
Thanks again
Owen

 

[Richard Moakes]

Call Eddie at Mercare in Plymouth 01752 226282

Explain your situation, he will give you an honest opinion, and if you needed any work done, he is very good and to be honest, doesn't charge enough.

Good Luck,

Richard

 

[Owen]

Just found out it is the head gasket, thanks for the help!
Owen