Crusty rocker cover, overheating, loss of power.

[timwilks13]

I recently bought my SJ410, started fine, ran fine etc, however its been loosing significant amounts of power over the last few weeks to the point were i struggle getting hills in 1st gear, then usually over heats and stalls. If i leave it 15 mins its fine. Because of these little issues (which i have no idea as to the cause...) i decided to have a quick look around the engine, when i took of the rocker cover, the gasket was fine but there was an awfull lot of crusty flakey stuff stuck to the inner side, and a worrying amount of it just loose inside. I am no mechanic but this didnt look right at all. Anyone know what this might be or whats causing it?
Thanks!!

[Jordi]

Sounds like baked on emulsion.

How does it run / tick over?

Is it using any oil or more likely if its over heating water?

[timwilks13]

When cool it runs generally well, and at standing it ticks over nicely (funny crunching sound when foot is off the clutch but thats next months problem). From full ill lose half the oil in 2/3 weeks, and the water is being topped up almost weekly. The only other thing i can think to mention is how unresponsive the accelerator is, as in from idle if i put my foot flat to the floor (when in neutral) it can be 3-4 seconds before there are any revs.

[ScottieJ]

Is the radiator nice and clean both internally and externally? If the cap is off the rad when ran up to temp can you see the water flowing and or see if you can see bubbles when you rev the engine or smell exhaust fumes. And are the fins not clogged with mud on the outside?

Does it overheat if left to idle? Any blue or white smoke from the exhaust?

Sounds like it could be a possible head gasket failure to me, when my old bmw 328 blew its head gasket it was fine on road until you hit a long hill and then the temp gauge shot up.

I would personally get a compression and sniffer test done.

Where in the country are you? Might have one of our members local to you that would be willing to have a look for you.

[Jordi]

That amount of oil and water sounds like a head gasket. As Scottie say. Compression test it.

If its not visibly leaking oil/water its burning it off. I have never toped coolant up. I have a slight oil leak but haven't had to top it up since october.

[timwilks13]

You guys are quicker and more helpful than any of my local garages!! I'm based up in Scarborough and yet to see a single other 410!!

Step one then ill change the head gasket! There is a fair amount of white smoke coming out, I've heard that's usually water in the engine? But no over heating on idle, just when driving. Might just do a full gasket change as the regulator cover gasket is none existent! I've boiled the regulator and it opens so I can rule that out for the overheating issue.

[Jordi]

Full gasket set will be about £30. Thats what i paid for a full head set on a 1.3.

Not sure about Scarboro' way, i'm in Darlington and theres a few lads north/south yorkshire and Ed's near Scunthorpe.

Hope you get it sorted.
Jordi

[timwilks13]

Got a full gasket set and going to change it tonight. Never got round to getting a Haines manual for an SJ so has anyone done this before and is there anything specific i need to look out for or is it just like any other head gasket? Done a few before on various other vehicles, assuming it will just be similar to all the others?

[Jordi]

Same old. If you done head sets before only thing you'll probably need is the bolt order and torque setttings.

If you give a while some one will post em' or you'll get a Darrell special diagram.

[ScottieJ]

You'll want a straight edge and feeler gauges to check the head surface for warpage after cleaning it up, 0.05mm is the limit, if its over this it needs to be skimmed.

Here's a few pages from the service manual for you to read Take note of the oilway holes in the headgasket!!!!!! (fig 3-123) if you put it on the wrong way (its easy to do) it will block the oil feed for the cam shaft

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