Best workshop investment ever ?

[LandRoverGhost]

I've been struggling with my TB42 S engine way to long now. But in the process learned a few things I shared and here is an other experience:

I had rebuilt the head meticulously, but realised I took a gamble :" Does it leak or not ? But living remote sending it by expensive courier to a city for testing and forking out the test fee was more expensive as at least four head bolt sets so I took my changes. If I had only known this simple self test method because on the end the head proofed to be as porous as a sponge.

This is how I tested it after the oil was again mixed with coolant:

I bought a Cooling System pressure test kit on eBay for just under $80.
Cleaned the head on the engine , made sure it was as dry as possible.
Then pressurised the cooling system to about 20Psi - double the average working pressure.
Found a small leak under a hose-clamp, easy fix.
Then observed the head between the valves:
Well that was the weirdest thing I have seen in a long time:
Coolant just appeared out of solid metal - the two photos with the coolant drops on the metal are made within a few seconds: from a small drop growing to that big one just out of the aluminium !

A replacement head is on its way...

85083850828508485085

[MudRunnerTD]

Wow!!!! you could spend $$$Thousands$$$ chasing that little Gem!!! and Never find it!!

had you had the Head crack tested at all? I wonder if that would show up in a Crack Test?

[04OFF]

Damb, a "dodgey crack" does not sound very good at all........"wet head" does not sound so bad tho.....:rolleyes:


;)

[LandRoverGhost]

No have not had it professionally tested, this was quite conclusive after all.

[MudRunnerTD]

No have not had it professionally tested, this was quite conclusive after all.

No worries, the question around the Crack Testing was more aimed at when you rebuilt the head. If it went somewhere for a rebuild you'd hope they would crack test it always to see if it was viable. I just reread your post and read that you did the rebuild yourself? Fare effort mate. good result and thanks for sharing.

[LandRoverGhost]

The rebuild was not as hard as I had imagined. It is just a steady as you go check and recheck every step - don't hurry and be meticulous with keeping the work area around the head clean.
Unfortunately on the end it all was in vain.... but a nice experience.
just today received the replacement head from PatrolApart. Exciting weekend to come : did the bottom end of the engine suffer from the water/oil mix or not ? Only had it run stationary and on new oil for diesel engines (more detergent) . Will keep you posted.