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Jiggy **
Age: 73 Zodiac: Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 55 Location: Reading
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 21:11 Post subject: Head gasket paranoia |
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Like many of you I read the technical forum frequently and the head gasket problem comes up so often, I am getting paranoia about my old truck and whether it will get the same problem. I tow frequently and it such a great tow vehicle I don't want to get shot but with trips to Whitby, Corsica, Devon and Pembrokeshire coming up over the summer, I wonder whether it would be wise to get something more recent with a better reliability history. Any thoughts? I should add that my truck is a '93 imported in '99 with around 120000 miles and has been absolutely reliable (touch wood) with a couple of trips to Spain under its belt.... and I love it! |
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 21:11 Post subject: Google Ads keep the POCUK free to join! |
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fest LifeTime Member
Age: 49 Zodiac: Joined: 01 May 2010 Posts: 1675 Location: SHROPSHIRE
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 22:06 Post subject: |
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the biggest problem with heads on these going
is down to lack of care from owners...
yes they may be an agricultural engine but they
like to be pampered and looked after with the odd
system flush and clean out ..... |
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Jiggy **
Age: 73 Zodiac: Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 55 Location: Reading
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 22:24 Post subject: |
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That's interesting. So do you reckon all the problems described are just down to poor maintenance? I changed my coolant a couple of thousand miles ago when I replaced the top and bottom hoses. I was thinking about fitting a temp alarm (£100 or so off ebay) to make sure the engine did not overheat - this seems to be the main reason that the heads crack.
My cooling system is in good condition but it does heat up on long inclines when it is really working hard and the turbo is spooling. If everything is working ok is the increased temp ok or should one try to keep it on normal do you reckon? |
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fest LifeTime Member
Age: 49 Zodiac: Joined: 01 May 2010 Posts: 1675 Location: SHROPSHIRE
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 22:29 Post subject: |
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the temp gauge on these is not very good to be fair that's the reason
a lot of folk have fitted separate/digital ones ...
I myself don't do a lot of towing if I do its only short trips
so I aint bothered adding another temp gauge.. when I got my truck
the water in the system was just brown sludge.. its a lot cleaner now |
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Jiggy **
Age: 73 Zodiac: Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 55 Location: Reading
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 22:38 Post subject: |
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On a slightly different topic, my Paj needs new boots. Would you go for the imperial size ( I think you have them fitted to your truck) or stick with the 265/70/17s that are on there at the mo |
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fest LifeTime Member
Age: 49 Zodiac: Joined: 01 May 2010 Posts: 1675 Location: SHROPSHIRE
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 22:42 Post subject: |
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I did have 31x10.5x15 on there and they were not much different
in size to be honest... now have 33x12.5x15 on it but they only fit after a lift job |
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venn105 LifeTime Member
Age: 49 Zodiac: Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 13103 Location: Lancashire
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 22:44 Post subject: |
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More choice in metric,and a little bigger by about 1" diameter although both standard sizes on the paj(so dont mix).
Check viscous is working,maybe a reason why it gets a bit warm should be free to spin when cold,get warmed up,stop eng and should have resistance on viscous,if not then needs attention. |
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Jiggy **
Age: 73 Zodiac: Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 55 Location: Reading
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 22:46 Post subject: |
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Thanks for that. I am looking on ebay at the moment because new is so expensive. Looks like either would do as long as they are all terrain - don't do any off roading though would like to give it a go - you are not down my way by any chance are you? (Reading) |
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fest LifeTime Member
Age: 49 Zodiac: Joined: 01 May 2010 Posts: 1675 Location: SHROPSHIRE
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 22:56 Post subject: |
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afraid not couple of hours away from you ...
is yours a 2.5 or a 2.8 ... as that will also limit tyre choice
as to ride height of standard truck ... you may have to lift to fit bigger rubber .. |
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venn105 LifeTime Member
Age: 49 Zodiac: Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 13103 Location: Lancashire
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Jiggy **
Age: 73 Zodiac: Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 55 Location: Reading
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 22:58 Post subject: |
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Mines the 2.8. I think I will stick with standard and not lift. Do you do green laning? Do you belong to a club? How is it best to get started? |
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Jiggy **
Age: 73 Zodiac: Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 55 Location: Reading
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fest LifeTime Member
Age: 49 Zodiac: Joined: 01 May 2010 Posts: 1675 Location: SHROPSHIRE
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 23:13 Post subject: |
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yeh do green lanes .... a standard 2.8 the biggest rubber you can go
on 15" rims is 31's....
yeh part of this club as are you there are regular meets each area set up from
time to time .... im sure the nearest club by you go off roading around AWE...
in the thatcham/aldermaston area I think it is ...been a few years since I worked there lol .. |
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Jiggy **
Age: 73 Zodiac: Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 55 Location: Reading
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 23:16 Post subject: |
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Brill. Thanks for that. Will search them out and give it a go. |
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venn105 LifeTime Member
Age: 49 Zodiac: Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 13103 Location: Lancashire
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Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 23:36 Post subject: |
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Not best tyres tbh,at best 20-25k,they are 90% road 10% off.I had them on mine,replaced 2 again for duellers then got the A/T duellers(not much better)
Also be careful buying used boots as they could be 10yr old(yes all 2nd hand cars have used boots) ...........as you know rubber starts to deteriorate over time.I say this as they have a date code on them so almost new they may look but could have been stored for 8yrs (not saying they are)
The rims are nice but to me they are worth £100
One looks like it may have a year left i sold a dueller for £15 on an alloy last year......should have give it away tbh
If you can for around 350ish get new,after a couple of years you will have saved money
Your choice of course,just my opinion but at 200 start i cant see anyone bidding.......... |
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