Best workshop investment ever ?

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...

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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?

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


;)

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LandRoverGhost

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

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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.

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.