Cracked Head TB42 Workshop Recommendation?

[SiNH]

At best case scenario I have a blown head gasket.

Oil is milky and slow loss of coolant. Oil cap is caked in white sludge.

I took it to my local mechanic and he cant tell me without taking the engine apart weather if I have cracked my heads in the process and if I had then its going to cost a minimum of $3000 to replace/repair and Im better off getting a 2nd hand engine or get rid of it altogether.

I have a 93 TB42 carby running dual fuel.

Ive done the search on OL trying to find a 4WD orientated workshop to give me more options and not quoting huge repair prices instead of telling me that he didnt want to do the job.

I would like some assistance from members to direct me to such a workshop in the Sydney Southwest area, closer to Liverpool the better that would be able to quote getting the head welded or replaced. Also best case scenario it would just be a blown head gasket.

Can you please shoot off some names of workshops who have had experiences with cracked heads on a GQ.

At the moment these workshops are located in Victoria and the closest one from reading through my searches are on the Central Coast or Newcastle.

I do not want to drive that distance with a blown head gasket or cracked heads.

[Mulisha]

Mate i would buy this.

http://carl.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=102050

Even if u just use the head off it..

I would never pay $3000!

Good luck with what ever u do.

Rick.

[SiNH]

That would be ideal but I would assume freight from Melbourne to Sydney might be abit too complicated.

However I got a quote from Mannell Motors recommending I chuck out the TB42 and put in a 5L Commodore engine, drive in drive out for approminately $15,000

I could buy a GU for that price. I guess a 5L V8 isnt an option then.

[Mulisha]

Mate just take a box trailer down to vic and pick it up and drive back one weekend ...

And if the only car ur got to tow a trailer is the patrol go to supercheap and buy some Chem Tec stop leak stuff and put that in ya radaitor and then heat the crap out of the car get it as hot as possible like 3 quarter mark then let it cool right down to cold. I did this and the oil stayed clear for about 4500kms untill i chnaged engines and it was still clear works well imo for a quick fix to get ya out of trouble.

Good luck with whatever u do mate


Rick.

[TassieTroll]

Or you can pull the head yourself and shoot it off to a specialist Head Reconditioner (or just buy a new casting).

I did mine and, to be honest, it was pretty straight forward. Saved about $1-$1.5k on the repair.

If you need any help, feel free to PM me.

[Mulisha]

U can buy a brand new head from nissan for $1200 i thought ...

[SiNH]

Or you can pull the head yourself and shoot it off to a specialist Head Reconditioner (or just buy a new casting).

I did mine and, to be honest, it was pretty straight forward. Saved about $1-$1.5k on the repair.

If you need any help, feel free to PM me.

Thanks for the input guys.
I pour 2 bottles of the Car-Go branded radiator stop leak metalic solution thing. It says on the bottle it stops all leaks ie, cracked heads, head gaskets, radiator etc etc so I put in 2 bottle which theoretically can treat up to 40L coolant capacity.

Ive drained the oil and it came out milky, changed the oil filter and fill the engine with 20/50W oil 7L and poured in STP engine stop leak, 2 bottles also and its supposed to rejuvinate engine gasket and seals.

Drove the car for about 100km with the thermostat removed so the little metallic specks can travel all around the engine and then put the thermostat back.

I checked the oil last night and it was still honey coloured, the oil cap is still clean but Im not counting my chickens yet cause 100km isnt that much of a test yet.

My thinking is if it all comes good after 5000km of driving with regular checks then i have isolated the problem to being the head gasket and will get that replaced permanently, but if the oil is still milky with my extreme amount of engine stop leak and radiator stop leak then I would have to bite the bullet and conceed that the heads are cracked.

Would I be correct in my somewhat half arsed attempt of diagnosing the problem?

Thanks for the offer TassieTroll, Ill see what the outcome is then Ill see what happens. My experience with cars only really goes as far as general maintenance to keep the car on the road, but replacing engine parts is beyond me.

Im afraid that I will have to take your advice and seek the assistance of a specialist head reconditioner.

I cant believe it should cost anything near $3000 to resolve.

Has anyone had their head gasket replaced? if so how much approximately will it cost?

[BowTieGQ]

I spent $1000 on mine. Not cracked though. All machining, new valve seats due to LPG, new exhaust valves, very small porting and they supplied the VRS kit as they needed the valve stem seals from it and I needed the rest. Did all the work myself though.

[rOd]

At best case scenario I have a blown head gasket.

Oil is milky and slow loss of coolant. Oil cap is caked in white sludge.

I took it to my local mechanic and he cant tell me without taking the engine apart weather if I have cracked my heads in the process and if I had then its going to cost a minimum of $3000 to replace/repair and Im better off getting a 2nd hand engine or get rid of it altogether.

I have a 93 TB42 carby running dual fuel.

Ive done the search on OL trying to find a 4WD orientated workshop to give me more options and not quoting huge repair prices instead of telling me that he didnt want to do the job.

I would like some assistance from members to direct me to such a workshop in the Sydney Southwest area, closer to Liverpool the better that would be able to quote getting the head welded or replaced. Also best case scenario it would just be a blown head gasket.

Can you please shoot off some names of workshops who have had experiences with cracked heads on a GQ.

At the moment these workshops are located in Victoria and the closest one from reading through my searches are on the Central Coast or Newcastle.

I do not want to drive that distance with a blown head gasket or cracked heads.

Maybe try that place on Hoxton park road near PEP's auto. I cant remember the name but they specialise in cylinder heads apparently.

I got my cylinder head from All Head Services. Its one of those new heads with all the by passes on the side of it and is beefed up in all weak areas. It cost me around $3000 fitted that was four years ago. Bouncer Spares at smithfield did mine.

These heads are a vast improvement from the original one.

[SiNH]

At best case scenario I have a blown head gasket.

Oil is milky and slow loss of coolant. Oil cap is caked in white sludge.

I took it to my local mechanic and he cant tell me without taking the engine apart weather if I have cracked my heads in the process and if I had then its going to cost a minimum of $3000 to replace/repair and Im better off getting a 2nd hand engine or get rid of it altogether.

I have a 93 TB42 carby running dual fuel.

Ive done the search on OL trying to find a 4WD orientated workshop to give me more options and not quoting huge repair prices instead of telling me that he didnt want to do the job.

I would like some assistance from members to direct me to such a workshop in the Sydney Southwest area, closer to Liverpool the better that would be able to quote getting the head welded or replaced. Also best case scenario it would just be a blown head gasket.

Can you please shoot off some names of workshops who have had experiences with cracked heads on a GQ.

At the moment these workshops are located in Victoria and the closest one from reading through my searches are on the Central Coast or Newcastle.

I do not want to drive that distance with a blown head gasket or cracked heads.

Maybe try that place on Hoxton park road near PEP's auto. I cant remember the name but they specialise in cylinder heads apparently.

I got my cylinder head from All Head Services. Its one of those new heads with all the by passes on the side of it and is beefed up in all weak areas. It cost me around $3000 fitted that was four years ago. Bouncer Spares at smithfield did mine.

These heads are a vast improvement from the original one.

Hoxton Park ehs? thats just down the road.

$3000 hmmms thats more than a 2nd hand engine though, might have to toss up between my options.

[rOd]

At best case scenario I have a blown head gasket.

Oil is milky and slow loss of coolant. Oil cap is caked in white sludge.

I took it to my local mechanic and he cant tell me without taking the engine apart weather if I have cracked my heads in the process and if I had then its going to cost a minimum of $3000 to replace/repair and Im better off getting a 2nd hand engine or get rid of it altogether.

I have a 93 TB42 carby running dual fuel.

Ive done the search on OL trying to find a 4WD orientated workshop to give me more options and not quoting huge repair prices instead of telling me that he didnt want to do the job.

I would like some assistance from members to direct me to such a workshop in the Sydney Southwest area, closer to Liverpool the better that would be able to quote getting the head welded or replaced. Also best case scenario it would just be a blown head gasket.

Can you please shoot off some names of workshops who have had experiences with cracked heads on a GQ.

At the moment these workshops are located in Victoria and the closest one from reading through my searches are on the Central Coast or Newcastle.

I do not want to drive that distance with a blown head gasket or cracked heads.

Maybe try that place on Hoxton park road near PEP's auto. I cant remember the name but they specialise in cylinder heads apparently.

I got my cylinder head from All Head Services. Its one of those new heads with all the by passes on the side of it and is beefed up in all weak areas. It cost me around $3000 fitted that was four years ago. Bouncer Spares at smithfield did mine.

These heads are a vast improvement from the original one.

Hoxton Park ehs? thats just down the road.

$3000 hmmms thats more than a 2nd hand engine though, might have to toss up between my options.

I just remembered the name of the head place, Race Tech.
I dont know what they are like to deal with, wont hurt to ask I guess.

The $3000 for my head work included was for complete new head (valves etc.), high volume waterpump, all gaskets(VRS kit), thermostat, hoses, etc and installation.