Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ford Owners Club - Ford Forums

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.



Join the Independent Ford Owners' Club

Our community has been built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, and proudly run by Ford owners' for over 18 years. As an independent, non-official club, everything you’ll find here, advice, support, and opinions, comes directly from members with genuine Ford ownership experience.

Join our friendly community... it's Free!

 

Engine

Featured Replies

Hey you guys! 
I have a fiesta zetec s, 1.6 210 

the head gasket have gone, would it be easier or cheaper for me to replace the whole engine or just the gasket? Any advice is welcome please help a girl out. 



Just the gasket, its not a major operation.

You would have to be unlucky for a simple gasket replacement not to work.

As long as it hasn't overheated, you should get away with just a new headgasket. If it has overheated, there's a chance the head may now be warped or cracked which makes the job much more expensive.

If you do have the HG done, you'll also need to have the cambelt changed at the same time (shouldn't refit an old one) as well as a few consumables like oil & coolant etc.  I'd be expecting somewhere in the region of £500 for a garage to do the work now.

  • Author

The water pump failed on the car I had that replaced along with a full oil change and new filter. When I started the car a few days ago, I noticed it smoking white smoke. I drove for a few minutes once warm to see if it would maybe just be condensation and disappear. When I lifted the bonnet, the water had gone, I opened the cap and the steam an pressure was a lot. Checked the cap from the oil and it displayed the whole dreaded “creamy stuff” but the heaters was still blowing warm air so im abit confused. I’ve found an engine replacement but again Im maybe wondering if I’ve pushed it too far and to just replace the engine instead of risking it and replacing the head gasket and somthing else going. 

Hmm, that's not sounding good then. :sad:

Headgaskets can fail in different ways so you won't usually get every symptom at once.  I would recommend having the cooling system pressure tested to make sure it is actually leaking before going any further.

Mayo on the oil cap is often just a sign of short journeys rather than headgasket failure.  I wouldn't be concerned by that on its own.  Also a good sign that the heaters are still hot.  May just mean there was an airlock left in the cooling system after the water pump was replaced.  I'd definitely want the HGF to be confirmed before doing anything else.

  • Author

I’ll leave it run tomorrow put water and coolant in it and go from there. Thankyou so much for your advice 🙂

Does that car have a water cooled oil cooler?  I don’t know which models do. I have heard of those failing by corrosion inside so the oil and coolant crossover

  • Author

Everything seems to be pointing more towards the head gasket if I’m honest. Again it’s pretty promising the heaters are still blowing warm air. I’m yet to let it run today and see the outcome, I’m hoping as someone mentioned maybe it’s gathering the white stuff on the oil cap due to changing the water pump but again the pressure it built up in the water/coolant tank doesn’t sound promising.  I think if worst comes to worse I’ll just replace the gasket as if I was to get a whole new entire engine then I’d be risking the life on that gasket! 😳 

honestly it sucks to be me right now!

Latest Deals

Ford UK Shop for genuine Ford parts & accessories

Disclaimer: As the club is an eBay Partner, The club may be compensated if you make a purchase via the club

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

The "Digestive"






Background Picker
Customize Layout

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.