donuts2001

I've just finished doing a head gasket change on my car, and I've replaced the head bolts when I did it as well. However when I did it I had to take the head off again right after putting it on because the stupid people who serviced my engine head put the cam facing the wrong way.

Well now I've noticed water dripping from exhaust flange the one connecting the exhaust to the cat converter and it's dripping pretty rapidily when the motors on. So now I'm wondering if I've stuffed the head gasket by taking the head off and putting it on again.

I've checked the compression of the cylinders and they all seem to come out fine with between about 1150kPa and 1200kPa, and even though I haven't run the car for that long(probably 30 minutes total since head gasket change) there doesn't appear to be any water in the oil.

The engine runs fine and starts with a single turn of the key, and doesn't have any problem running. The water seems to start dripping straight away after the motor is started. Is this water just condesnsation in the exhaust? Or could it be the head gasket is blown and needs replacing? help!

Aussiblue

Hmmm have you mated the manifold to the flange correctly? I just wonder if its misaligned and it condensation from an exhaust leak. I've never seen a head gasket failure cause this symptom alone (i.e. without other symptoms of a major leak, but those head gaskets are not meant to be reused so I would play it safe and put a new gasket on.

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Regards Blue

shrekky

pull your plugs and check them for color. If you have coolant in the combustion chamber (cylinder), then the relevant plug will look really clean. Anothe possibility is a pinhole in the metal water pipe below the manifold squirting or the gasket seeping out the side. Mine was seeping out the side for ages and none was getting into the oil or anything. Have a good careful look.

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Dave.



If it aint broke then dont fffffffix it!
My advice may not be worth much, but at least it's free!