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how easy to replace head gasket on vit 8v efi?

Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 11:12 am
by plugspanner
just discovered my vit needs a new head gasket, all the usual symptoms.
how easy is it and is there anything to look out for?
any help would be great
thanks
shaun

Re: how easy to replace head gasket on vit 8v efi?

Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 12:02 pm
by ScottieJ
Has it overheated at all?

If not then there's a good chance that you can get away without skimming the head.

Just check it with a straight edge and feeler gauges, if it's out of spec then it will need to be skimmed.
Fserieshead.JPG
Fserieshead.JPG (112.27 KiB) Viewed 4149 times

Re: how easy to replace head gasket on vit 8v efi?

Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 1:01 pm
by plugspanner
thanks
I do not know if it has overheated, not been farther than the end of my drive since I have owned it.
but recently I had to replace some coolant and even when hot the exhaust chucks out water and creamy sludge on the filler cap, all the usual signs, MOT today as well so good job I am trailering it there!
fingers crossed,
have to change it on sat along with a new cam belt as I doubt that had been changed, it has only done 77,000 miles since new and since looking at various things the previous owner was not mechanically minded.

Re: how easy to replace head gasket on vit 8v efi?

Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 5:32 pm
by plugspanner
got a new head gasket and just back from mot
3 minor fails
headlight on rhs too low,
front number plate not secure
hand brake not working too well
quite pleased with that, easy fixes
soon have it on the road,
shaun

Re: how easy to replace head gasket on vit 8v efi?

Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 5:47 pm
by ScottieJ
Nice easy fixes, my tester always just let's me adjust the headlights there and then.

The headgasket is nice an easy, just follow the workshop manual and do the head bolts in the correct order to the correct torque and all is good.

Re: how easy to replace head gasket on vit 8v efi?

Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 1:37 pm
by plugspanner
head light and no plate sorted.
the hand brake is proving a little more difficult as the lhs cable is seized solid, no wonder the hand brake did not work, no movement on shoes at all on one side,
so new shoes and cable bought and fixing it over the weekend.
sorted insurance with A Flux, all modes declared and a good price to boot.
so pics when all taxed and mot'd.