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Head gasket ques...

ren5gtt

Member
I had a brand new Chargecooler fitted and not realising after a few weeks the pump wasnt pumping the coolant around efficiently (it seems the little water pump is shite and needs improving from the factory imo as its so slow) anyway, as I didnt realise this was the case I think this has caused a lot of head build up causing my head gasket to go.

The water is emptying out the exhaust within 5 minutes the header tank is empty! and there is slight mayo in the oil cap. I was wondering is there a chance that the head is buggered as well? or will it just be a case of replacing the head gasket and getting rid of the charge cooler for a front mount intercooler (or fixing the pump). I wasnt using the car on a journey when it over heated, it was in my drive running when I noticed so it wasnt driven far like that.

Other thing is, how easy is it to fit a new head gasket myself? Is it worth paying to get this done by a tuner? I know I will need to replace the head bolts as the stretch.

All this because I fitted a new charge cooler for a lot of money :roll:
 
never done a head on a 5 but peeps on here have, but once the head is off get it skimmed and pressure tested its not worth the trouble if its cracked etc
 
simple job mate if your not scared of getting stuck in , get the head skimmed and pressure tested , get a head gasket set from gsf think there about 25 26 quid , and go from there follow what it says in the haynes book and ya cant go wrong, also replace the bolts, charge cooler emmmm,i have just fitted one to mine due to lack or room realy but the rad that cmes with it i dont think is big enough, what made you think the pump is going to slow?
 
simple job mate if your not scared of getting stuck in , get the head skimmed and pressure tested , get a head gasket set from gsf think there about 25 26 quid , and go from there follow what it says in the haynes book and ya cant go wrong, also replace the bolts, charge cooler emmmm,i have just fitted one to mine due to lack or room realy but the rad that cmes with it i dont think is big enough, what made you think the pump is going to slow?

Thanks guys! :)

I think I will just get the uprated head gasket from gsf (I think its a bit thicker than the standard one) and have it fitted for me, I think its worth paying to have it done right by someone thats done it many times before as it doesnt sound an expensive job.

I have only just got a stage 3 new head ... I'm pretty sure its just the head gasket as it got a bit hot. But it wasnt any kind of explosive thing or driving quickly when it happened that I think would have warped the head.

I have now fixed my charge cooler!! I was out there earlier and trying the get the thing to pump the water around, ended up that after blowing into the catch tank the water started flowing very well through the system again and all the air bubbles flowing around and out the system nicely. The pump was running extremely slowly when I 1st had it fitted... the water flow out of the catch tank was just trickling out... it wasnt flowing out with any speed! So I thought it was the pump, and then it stopped completely!! so I thought it was the pump. But after today and getting it running well... I can hear the sound of the pump is much more 'alive' and working as it should be at full flow....which is a massive relief.

Even though with it not working it has caused my head gasket to go... I am now hoping once the new gasket is done.... everything will be cool again.
 
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not realy sure mate as i have always done my own, as soon as you say renault 5 and head gasket in a garage, there will be a noise of a sharp intake of breath,
 
not realy sure mate as i have always done my own, as soon as you say renault 5 and head gasket in a garage, there will be a noise of a sharp intake of breath,

haha, I was wondering who to take it to in Essex? I dont think anyone around here will have a clue about 5 GT Turbos anymore. I dont want someone thats going to make it worse than it already is :? I'm pretty sure it only needs a gasket. I havent taken it anywhere apart from to move it in and out the garage, and it starts fine (I make sure the water is topped up) it ticks over as smooth as you like and just idles really nice. I think if the head had gone it wouldnt be as nice as that. I havent driven it far when I was using it and havent driven it in anger for some time before this happened.

Also, the bolts are High Tensile bolts so they wont need changing after all.

Just need to find a tuner that knows about these cars and local in the Southend area as I wont be able to drive far without stopping every 10 mins to top up with water.
 
no garage self skims btw they farm that work out.

So you won't be saving anything by letting them do it.

tbh though it sounds like you need someone with a bit more knowledge to look at it for you before you condemn this and that and its not the issue.
 
no garage self skims btw they farm that work out.

So you won't be saving anything by letting them do it.

tbh though it sounds like you need someone with a bit more knowledge to look at it for you before you condemn this and that and its not the issue.


Thanks Chris, yes I am trying to find someone in this area with a bit more knowledge on this car. Places like K-Tec are 200 miles away from me.
 
I called Marc Fish Motorsport who are Renault 5 gt turbo and Cliosport specialists, he has quoted me £800 labour and then to go back to have it checked which will be another labour charge. I think he was talking over £1000 for the head gasket to be fitted. There are no other problems with the car that I am aware of.
 
Get a haynes manual fella

I've had one of those longer than I've had my car. I dont mind doing the straight forward bolt on bits and servicing, but this will take a little bit more skill than what I have. I didnt realise it was such a huge job, it sounded like a simple job for a garage to sort out before I asked them.
 
Meh, bite the bullet, think of the satisfaction of doing it yourself, maybe there's a member nearby to give you a hand?

haha, thanks, its been too much of a well kept car to bodge it. I've always been careful with not just 'having a go' at things I'm not skilled at :lol: I can guarrentee it will end up worse than when I started. I'll get it booked in and sorted soon.
 
spanners 8mm,-13mm screwdrivers ,breaker bar and sockets/alen key socket for high tens head bolts , torque wrench, feeler guages, haynes book, thats about it mate to be honest
 
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