Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
I'm looking for some help/advice on doing this job, I've done before on my 97F but my question is: is it anymore difficult to do on a VVC than a standard F ie: cam belt replacement and timing on main crank end belt and then the vvc belt, I'm looking at using a SKF belt kit has anyone used these before? The other thing is any recommendations in regard to head gasket, I understand that it would be a multi layer with shim is this correct or is there something better? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Regards D4KGP (Glyn)
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- Notanumber
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Replied by Notanumber on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 5 days ago #208210This is the article here you need to read about head gaskets https://www.the-t-bar.com/forum/54-how-tos/98969-head-gasket-failure-its-causes-and-diagnosis#206909
2003 TF 135 sunstorm
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Replied by D4KGP on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 5 days ago #208212Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Replied by D4KGP on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 5 days ago #208213Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Replied by Cobber on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 4 days ago #208215Now since the upgrade the site doesn't seem to show how long I've been a member here (it would be easily over 10 years) I no idea how long I've been a member here, but as I haven't had a Head gasket failure in all that time. I guess it shows that with the job done properly in the first place and careful maintenance, preventative measures such as the fitting a low coolant alarm and vigilant monitoring there is no reason that these cars can't be reliable.
In fact this has been one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned! And how wrong the common wisdom derived from the opinions of all the pub experts who are only too quick to tell us that our cars are lemons, actually is.
I can however say that I've used SKF products in automotive, marine and industrial applications for many years, and that I've never had any issues with their quality, in fact SKF has long been one of my trusted and preferred brands.
Having said that, it only takes a company take over by bloody parsimonious bean counters, who start sourcing product from the sort shit holes that seem have priorities that place price before quality, to trash a company's reputation with me! But so far SKF have to date, seemed to have avoided that fate.
They make bearings and seals, and supply to the automotive sector, they offer various ready to go solutions through their retailers and I assume this kit you mention is one of those. So I'd say the tensioners etc in a timing kit would be made by them but they would source in the belts from outside suppliers. (no idea who)
It's likely the exact same kit sold by the belt supplier under their own brand. Same kit, same parts from the same factories , compiled together in different branded boxes, to be marketed by different companies.
"Keep calm, relax, focus on the problem & PULL THE BLOODY TRIGGER"
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- bosatravalia12
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Replied by bosatravalia12 on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 4 days ago #208216Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Replied by D4KGP on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 4 days ago #208217Regards D4KGP (Glyn)
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Replied by D4KGP on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 4 days ago #208218Regards D4KGP (Glyn)
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Replied by Delbourt on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 3 days ago #208234A Google on this suggests there were other factors such as who produced the cylinder liners and possibly who built the engine. Lotus is mentioned but did they just take the engine for their purposes or did they modify it with regards to head gasket etc?
Anyone have “history” on this, and if so what is now the accepted wisdom should a new gasket be required?
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Replied by D4KGP on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 3 days ago #208239But because of where the engine is mounted in Fs & TFs these seemed to be affected more than front mounted motors that have better air circulation thereby (supposedly) improving the cooling effect.
I'm sure someone with greater knowledge on the subject will be able to give a more in depth explanation.
Regards D4KGP (Glyn)
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- neilpinleeds
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Replied by neilpinleeds on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 2 days ago #208249If these engines were used in other vehicles did those other vehicles have the similar head gasket failure propensity?
A Google on this suggests there were other factors such as who produced the cylinder liners and possibly who built the engine. Lotus is mentioned but did they just take the engine for their purposes or did they modify it with regards to head gasket etc?
Anyone have “history” on this, and if so what is now the accepted wisdom should a new gasket be required?
Lotus partially stripped the engines including fitting an upgraded head gasket. HGF is not unknown on the Elise though either. I visited the Lotus factory in 2000 and they had a warehouse full of K Series engines stacked 10 high, quite a sight.
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Replied by Cobber on topic Head gasket & cam belts job 2002 180 vvc.
Posted 1 month 2 days ago #208258All the MG Rover uses. Would've been pretty much the same as the F/TF other than ECUs, engine capacity variations, age related differences and anything specific to the application it was used in.
The mid engine location offered a more challenging operating environment...less air flow, more heat soak, and more complex coolant plumbing.
The K series engine was also used in many kit cars but these would've either been as used from the donor car or modified by the end user, so no real direct comparison there.
I'm not aware of any other users of the engine that would've had the production volume to justify their own variants
"Keep calm, relax, focus on the problem & PULL THE BLOODY TRIGGER"
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