2.0 hdi head gasket

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Hi all,
As the title state's 2.0 hdi head gasket, how big a job, parts needed/recommended
Anyone done one, Jasper5 ?
Pretty sure mines started showing signs of failure,
Occasionally uneven idle, coolant loss/consumption whist towing & pressurising of the system.
Pushing coolant out past a brand new genuine header cap
Coupled to a whooshing sound when undone / difficulties in undoing it

Thanks in advance guys.

[Welly]

This thread: http://406oc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... +and+threw was very good until Photofucket ruined it but the text is still there so may be useful to you.

[jasper5]

Not done one myself but looking at my van, which is the same engine, I would guess the only serious problem is removing the manifolds...reading the post that Welly dug up would confirm that....I did hear of someone moving the engine forward to gain access.

[PeterN]

Did one on a 2.1 XM, that was a bit of a pig but from what I have seen the Hdi is easier. I think they all use the laminated steel gaskets now but if not make sure you get one. The Haynes manual gives a pretty good guide but look on youtube there are some very good videos on there.

Peter

[Welly]

The lad posting in the old thread above was a peugeot master tech IIRC and suggested at the time that HGF was reasonably common on the HDi despite it not really being 'known' for it. It was mentioned that poor coolant quality together with low coolant levels through poor maintenance would impact on the Head Gasket.

The symptoms aren't immediately obvious but rock-hard coolant hoses are a tell-tale in the early stages I believe.

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Thanks for the replys guys,
I know it's going to be a pig of a job
Just trying to get an idea of the parts that it's best to replace whist in there
Best brand of head gasket / head bolts ect, main dealer or factors

The car's been maintained above the manufactures schedule, it's never been overheated ( whilst in my ownership)
& was fine for the first three years , I have been suspecting a H.G.F for about the last year,
But the latest pressurising of the system with the new component's has pretty much confirmed it,
coupled with the erratic idling .

I believe from reading up on this that the HDI's are quite prone to this due to old age / highish millage
The old girl would have probably soldiered on for many more years / miles
but I fear that the towing is to blame for the expiry of the head gasket due to the extra load

Anyhow advice on parts welcome
Thanks all

[PeterN]

Very rarely have a seen a failed gasket on a 406 Hdi and I've looked at lots but only seen a couple. I have never had one fail and my highest mileage one was 246k, the ones I'm running now are about 160k and 200k.

Peter

[jasper5]

For head gasket, in my opinion, main dealer only!

The other gaskets I would be happy to buy from factors...FAI branded bolts and gaskets are fairly common, good quality and cheap.

Payen gaskets are well known, good quality stuff.