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2.5TD Head scrap??

I have just removed the head for a 2.5TD engine that suffered a headgasket failure and blew all its coolant out. On inspection it was obvious that number 2 & 3 cylinder had failed allowing coolant into the bores and exhaust gas into the coolant. Appart from verly likely being warped & needing a skim the head has a fine crack from the exhaust valve to the hotspot on number 2 & 3 cylinder, they dont appear to go near any water or oilways however. Is this head now scrap? Can anyone repair a cracked head reliably and where is the best place to source a replacement head (I believe 2.5 NA head is same am I right?). Or should I just have the head skimmed and expect slightly lower compression on 2 & 3 in the future? Does anyone in the group have a spare 2.5 diesel head?

Thanks in advance for any advice. Fergus

Reply to
Fergus
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Check that it is warped or damaged before skimming. In all probability it is fine unless the exhaust gas has gouged metal away. Anyhow, I don't think the crack is much to worry about. I would slam it back on and see what happens. It might never happen again. OTOH who knows? There are so many variables, such as how long it was before you noticed the failure and how high did the head temperature get?

Huw

Reply to
Huw

It doesn't sound too good for your head - but having a specialist look at it may be worth doing.

The NA head is not the same as TD head - the exhaust valaves are bigger on the TD. If you do look for a second hand one, don't forget to look out for LDV vans with the TD in.

Richard

Reply to
beamendsltd

Thanks for the feedback, I have taken a couple of photos detailing the cracks in the head, I think they are a fair bit worse than I described, is the head a gonner?

This picture shows the head as a whole, only cyl 1 is 100% undamaged:

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You can see number 3 cylinder has become pitted although valve seats are still ok.

This picture is a closeup of 2,3 & 4 cylinder with cracks arrowed

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Anyone think its repairable or is it time to fork out =A3400 + vat for a new one?

Thanks, Fergus

Reply to
Fergus

I still think a trip to a specialist is worth a go.

If you can't get a 2nd had one, you still don't need to spend that much ;-)

Richard

Reply to
beamendsltd

Stick it back on. You have nothing except a bit of time to lose and £400 to gain. The most serious crack IMO is the one between the two valves but any one could be fatal in the end. Are you sure that it was the head gasket that caused the coolant problem or was it due to gas leaking through those cracks?

Apart from that, shop around for a cylinder head should you need one. There is surely someone supplying generic copies at a fraction of that cost. Try an agricultural parts supplier who has an agency for VAP, Bepco or a myriad of others and who, most importantly, have good storemen. Some supply cylinder heads for tractors at a fraction of the price so I can't see why they would not cater for LR as well. After all, most of them still fetch their tractor parts in the LR.

Also do consider going the used route if you have to.

Huw

Reply to
Huw

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