Head Gasket or not ?

[Steve Webb]

Hi @alfalan , no experience of that engine, but have dealt with blown head gaskets before.

First things first, is the car actually losing water at all? That's usually the first symptom. After that, check for the mayonnaise in the header tank / radiator. If you want to be sure you can get a chemical tester that tests the vapour in the cooling system, changes colour if hydrocarbons are present.

Never heard about the exhaust manifold sealing the water passageways, I'd like to see that for myself before believing it fully.

The rough running when cold could be down to any number of things, and liquid coming out the tailpipe is not uncommon, could actually be a cold fuelling problem.

Let us know if the car is losing water first.

Oh and welcome to the forum, feel free to add your cars to the forum garage, you can get to it from the tab at the top of the page.

Cheers

Steve

[alfalan]

Hi @alfalan , no experience of that engine, but have dealt with blown head gaskets before.

First things first, is the car actually losing water at all? That's usually the first symptom. After that, check for the mayonnaise in the header tank / radiator. If you want to be sure you can get a chemical tester that tests the vapour in the cooling system, changes colour if hydrocarbons are present.

Never heard about the exhaust manifold sealing the water passageways, I'd like to see that for myself before believing it fully.

The rough running when cold could be down to any number of things, and liquid coming out the tailpipe is not uncommon, could actually be a cold fuelling problem.

Let us know if the car is losing water first.

Oh and welcome to the forum, feel free to add your cars to the forum garage, you can get to it from the tab at the top of the page.

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve, thanks for coming back, will check for water loss and get a hydrocarbon test kit.... I found the post on the manifold problem here is the link... thanks again http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...rk-beware.html

[jNk]

My mechanics first thought its only condensed water which comes from the exhaust and its not releated to any manifold gasket issue. If it were coolant water it should be less and less in the system which you can check and verify.

Nevetherless if you want to remove the inlet manifold its doable with engine in the car.

Its an easy job for a car mechanic with 20+ years of experience, probably longer job for you but hopefully you dont have to do it