Agila head gasket

mum was visiting for the weekend and 20 minutes after leaving she called to say she had broken down. Smoke from the back and temp gauge dropped. I remember she had head gasket done a couple of years ago had the head skimmed etc, if its this again can the head be skimmed again? Was thinking there's a limit to how much you could do it? Anyone know of anywhere around ipswich that could do this?

yeah you can have a head reskimmed - they only take off a few thou - wouldnt the temp gauge of gone up if the head gaskets gone (due to lack of coolant) rather than drop ?

i did think that I will find out more info when she gets back here. Find out what colour smoke it was etc.

yeah reckon its the HG got the mayo under the oil cap, none in dip stick though.

Like Gary said, you can - when you get the head off you'll be able to put a judgement on how much metal there is left to skim by looking at the valve clearance chambers.
I dare say there is a tolerance figure somewhere in the depths of the Vauxhall data archives. Not sure if there are thicker head gaskets about to compensate for multiple skimmed head. The other alternative is a replacement cylinder head.

Thanks mate, i've found a known good head with valves/pressure tested etc for £100 so this might be cheaper than sending the existing one off to be tested etc. I don't have time to do it so will probably find a local garage to do it unless any local foggers want to earn some beer tokens?

she said the was a 'clonking' sound before it cut out, does seem strange as it's only got 57K on the clock and already had the HG done once. Mum did say it had been running hot recently though and 3 different mechanics had looked at it but could work out what was wrong with it. Coolant looks ok smells like smoke though?

If it smells like exhaust gases then it is likely the HG :cry:

oh joy i'll try and find a garage tomorrow and await their ludicrous quotes, I can get a head for £120 and and a gasket/bolt kit for £80. Trouble is until the heads off I don't know if there's any problems with pistons etc.

You sure the aux belts are on? I am not sure on this engine but a belt running the water pump could have come loose, worse case if it is a cam belt though I think most VX small engines are now chain driven.

its the Z12XE so believe it's chain haven't had a chance to check the other belts.

I think thats what is in the car I have just bought a 1.2 16v twinport Corsa sxi

Well worth checking the other belts :thumbup:

thats the one, you have the Z12XEP the 'P' for twinport

will do cheers matey :thumbup: