Head gasket
 

Hi, I have a 1999 Voyager and I'm sure the head gasket has gone. The problem I have is that the cooling system is now full of sludgy mayonnaise type oily goo. Does anyone have any ideas on how to clean it out. Also it it worth getting the head done(have been told not to bother) any help and your views will be gratefully recieved.:)

Petrol or Diesel?

Someone on here recently was quoted £750 to do the head gasket on a '99 diesel. Not sure if this is an over the top quote or not.

Certainly on the post 2001 CRDs, removing the head is a bit of an involved job, so £750 might be about right. Personally I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a 12 year old car.

As for cleaning it out. I wouldn't bother until the gasket is fixed. Sounds like oil is getting into the coolant and probably coolant into the oil. It will continue to do so untill the gasket is fixed, and as such I'd avoid driving the car if you intend to fix it.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess 2.4L gas?

Hi,its a 2.5 turbo diesel. I'm noriing it and plan on getting a recon engine. But the mayonnaise oil is provng a issue to clean out of th radiator and cooling hoses.

not drivng it (it should read)

You're not going to get the rad clean on your own. Let a rad shop clean that sucker out the right way. Toss ALL the hoses and get new ones.

It is Italian VM Motori engine, right? Originally designed for motorboats, later adapted to cars. It's a wonderful power plant, famous for it's driving characteristics, used in many cars: Jeep Cherokee, (old) Toyota Landcruiser, famous London taxi cabs.
Unfortunately, this engine is notorious for cracking heads. So they divided the head into four separate ones, to make it easier to service.
My second Voyager had this 2.5 td motor. I had ongoing problem with loosing antifreezer. I had one head repaired (welded). When repairing the head, the mechanic showed me a pile of old heads which turned out to be too bad to weld.

So, be prepared that it may be not only the gasket. It might be a broken head.

Re : Head gasket 2.5 TD
 

Hi Matt
Regarding your head gasket. It all depands on how many miles you have on your current engine & how much you like the car. The £750 quote was for me and that was for just the one offending head ( VM engines have 4 seperate heads). In my case, i have a 200 000 miler so it wasn`t worth while having it done when another could go at any time . I did some sums and bought a brand new engine from JNL engineering in Surrey ,they are the main distributer VM Motori. A long block engine which is everything but injectors and ancillaries was £1900 &whilst I was at it i got a new water pump from them as well as all the gaskets for £2600 Inc VAT. You`ll have to make up your own mind as to wheather or not you think it`s a worthwhile project! Hope I have been of help.