Should I change the head gasket?

[motorwizard]

Hi All,
I have a 1995 Freda diesel 130k km. I tend to carry out a rolling maintenance programme. Last year I changed the radiator, hoses and water pump. I also had the alternator serviced. I have not had any engine problems but there does appear to be a constant thread about head gasket and head failures. I was thinking of changing the head gasket before spring. Has anybody done this as preventative maintenance.

[mikeonb4c]

Hi All,
I have a 1995 Freda diesel 130k km. I tend to carry out a rolling maintenance programme. Last year I changed the radiator, hoses and water pump. I also had the alternator serviced. I have not had any engine problems but there does appear to be a constant thread about head gasket and head failures. I was thinking of changing the head gasket before spring. Has anybody done this as preventative maintenance.

Sounds OTT to me. Could create a problem where ther was none? What do others think? Head problems are not that common across the Bongo population, its just that they are the most common cause (more or less) of people seeking help on here!

I admire your thoroughness though!

[haydn callow]

I see little point in changing the head gasket as a matter of routine maintainance. What you read on here about failing gaskets and cracked heads is normally a result of overheating (often the result of coolant loss).
IMHO you would be better ensuring your hoses are in good condition and keep a eye on all parts of the cooling system......If you were to overheat it would make little differance if you had a new or old gasket....the result would be the same......one of the best defences against damage caused by coolant loss is to fit a low coolant alarm......many stories on this forum about how they have saved the day.

[mikexgough]

Hi All,
I have a 1995 Freda diesel 130k km. I tend to carry out a rolling maintenance programme. Last year I changed the radiator, hoses and water pump. I also had the alternator serviced. I have not had any engine problems but there does appear to be a constant thread about head gasket and head failures. I was thinking of changing the head gasket before spring. Has anybody done this as preventative maintenance.

I am all for rolling preventative maintenance myself.....I guess it's your call on this one, if your cooling system is up to scratch on your pipes and hoses as you say and the coolant is the right strength then personally I wouldn't bother, Again it's your dosh and your call.

I see where you thoughts are coming from with all the negative threads about heads etc......

If you only remember one thing about the WL-T engine and that being, ALL vehicles fitted with the WL-T engine (with a degas(bongo set up) or "standard" expansion tank set up like the BT-50/Ranger etc) ALL can and do suffer the same head issues if not maintained 100%............ it isn't just Bongo/Freda and in fact the same engine is also known to have some camshaft failures too....

[Bob]

Agree with the others. I think it would be a waste of time and money and would do nothing to prevent future problems.

[fatcatlawyer]

IMHO leave it alone. The engine is good for 300K miles + if regularly serviced. Save the dosh and time. Just because you have read the horror stores on this forum does not mean that your bongo will suffer the same fate. Keep the cooling system in top order and with the various alarms fitted you will have ticked all the boxes to avoid a head calamity!

ian G

[wishmaster]

IMHO if it aint broke dont fix it

[M 80NGO]

IMHO if it aint broke dont fix it

X2