Amjad Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 (edited) Hey guys,So I'm going with a mate tomorrow to go look at an EP and the seller says that it's using water but it's driving fine. What could be the potential causes and the cost of repair?I'm guessing there may be a split rad pipe or a leaky rad but these would be obvious to spot?Maybe head gasket or a crack in the head around the exhaust mani studs?Somebody has also mentioned it may have something to do with the thermostat?I don't believe the car has been compression tested..ThanksAmjad Edited August 28, 2012 by Amjad Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A L 3 X Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Water pump, or early stages of head gasket spring to mind mate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B11G KY Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 head gaskets on its way out Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hou Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Hey guys,So I'm going with a mate tomorrow to go look at an EP and the seller says that it's using water but it's driving fine. What could be the potential causes and the cost of repair?I'm guessing there may be a split rad pipe or a leaky rad but these would be obvious to spot? - Not always, my mate had a tiny weep on his Teg's rad so it was losing water but you couldn't tell where from.Maybe head gasket or a crack in the head around the exhaust mani studs? - Most likely, look for white smoke out of the exhaust and usual checks for mayo under the cap/pressuring the systemSomebody has also mentioned it may have something to do with the thermostat? - Only if the thermostat housing is crackedI don't believe the car has been compression tested. - Possibly get a sniffer test kit for hydrocarbons in the waterThanksAmjadHey dude, see above! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Broony Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Just avoid as your asking for trouble either way Quote Link to post Share on other sites
funny onion Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I have a horrific crack around one of my exhaust manifold studs and it's still not leaked anything. I'd say headgasket. And unless the thermostat housing was leaking, a buggered thermostat wouldn't cause it to use water? Check the oil filler cap for mayo and give it a compression test. Leave it idling up to temp and have a good look for leaks. Check around the 4th runner on the inlet manifold to see if it's had the wrong inlet gasket fitted as that would cause a coolant leak too I reckon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Cool thanks guys! I'll speak to my mate in a bit as we were gonna go down tonight!Any idea of how much a head gasket job would set you back?And a replacement head if required? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StuDoc 72 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Head gasket job would only cost replacement parts if you were to do it yourself its not difficult hardest part it torqueing the head and setting the timing. If you get the car for a good price then why not. Id try and get about 500 off the asking price if they havent already taken it into consideration.And it could still always just be a daft leak somwhere. As said before check the oil cap and the dipstick as he could be on the ball and easily clean the cap. Run the car to temp and look underneath for drips. Theres a million things it could be and a million things you can do and check over. Check these main areas and get it for the right price. After all worst case scenario is that it need an engine which isnt really the end of the world. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Cheers for the help everyone! Drove really quite nicely but it turns out it was indeed head gasket! Took it for a drive for about 10 mins, returned back to his house to find this.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
funny onion Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Shame Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flaminsam Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Out of interest how much was it up for? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 £1500, my friend is still planning to buy it pending an offer he's made Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lugzy clart Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 This mean there's gunna be another gt round cardiff soon ?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 Maybe ;)Need to get him out of his Civics haha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Taggy Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 With a knackered HG i would say £1500 is on the steep side as your buying an engine with potentially a can of worms of problems, i bought a GT as my first starlet with a HG failure thinking it was a cheap fix, paid to get it repaired then it blew a piston a month later!!I reckon £1250 is about right so gives you some spending money for any other hidden gems! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobby boy Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Check the oil filler cap for mayo and give it a compression test. Leave it idling up to temp and have a good look for leaks. Check around the 4th runner on the inlet manifold to see if it's had the wrong inlet gasket fitted as that would cause a coolant leak too I reckon. why would the wrong inlet gasket allow it to leak water? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Socks Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I wouldnt give over a grand for a hg'd GT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt1878 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I wouldnt give over a grand for a hg'd GTI agree with Matt here!.. Looking at the spec of GT's going through Pistonheads now a days, you can pick up one with smaller problems than the HG for £1200 :/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hou Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I have to agree too, and you can't be sure if that is a HG failure, a cracked head or a cracked block! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
funny onion Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 why would the wrong inlet gasket allow it to leak water?The 4efe inlet gasket is different from the 4efte in the bottom left hand corner. If you put an efe gasket on an fte, it pisses coolant out. Talking from experience. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AdamB Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 The 4efe inlet gasket is different from the 4efte in the bottom left hand corner. If you put an efe gasket on an fte, it pisses coolant out. Talking from experience.I'm sure there are two types of FTE head? one has the water way open, the other closed, so the correct gasket needs to be applied. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
funny onion Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 All my fte heads (glanza and gt) have it open. But someone else has said this too, I've only noticed it between the efe and fte though. Either way I have the wrong bloody gasket haha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james@cjperformance Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Amjad i can take a look before he buys it if you like easiest safest option would be to take the cost of a known working engine off the price of the car. Once they have been opened more problwms could arise leaving qith a badly priced gt Amjad i can take a look before he buys it if you like easiest safest option would be to take the cost of a known working engine off the price of the car. Once they have been opened more problwms could arise leaving qith a badly priced gt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StuDoc 72 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Yep i agree with james. Like i said earlier in the thread. Factor in the cost of a known good engine. Stick it in there and forget about any skeletons and drive it with peace of mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Taggy Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 so true, its awash with modded GT's!I agree with Matt here!.. Looking at the spec of GT's going through Pistonheads now a days, you can pick up one with smaller problems than the HG for £1200 :/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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