Hyundai Galloper Santamo head gasket

[gerryh]

I have Hyundai Galloper Santamo MPV.
In 2009 the engine was totally rebuilt, head skimmed etc etc.
Last year the head gasket blew between cylinders 2 and 3,
Head and block checked, no cracks and both true and flat.
Same thing has happened again.
Engine running normally until gasket blew. No sign of overheating or anything else untoward. Just a sudden loss of power.
Any ideas of the cause of the problem?

Cheers
Gerry

[Enrique]

Hi Gerry,


Did they use new head bolts when they "rebuilt" it back in 2009
Many Modern engines have a complex head tightening sequence so needs to be done with care and understanding.

[gerryh]

Yes, they used new head bolts when it was rebuilt and when the gasket was last renewed.

Cheers
Gerry

[Devils Advocate]

I'm wondering if the temp gauge is reading correctly? Had this recently with a car which was losing water with no signs of where to. Temp guage read 90 and all systems seemed fine. I bought one of those cheap lazer pointer heat guns/Thermometers from Maplins and on pointing it to the back of the head recorded 120 degrees as opposed to the reading of 90 degrees on gauge.

On inspection the header tank seal was u/s and the system was not pressurising.............hence the rise in temerature, faulty temp sender was hiding this problem. Replaced cap and sender and job done, I'm sure it would have done the head gasket too if not seen to.

Just a thought.
Cheers

[gerryh]

No, it doesn't use much water or oil. No reason to suspect overheating. The blow was directly between cylinders 2 and 3, water and oil channels unaffected. Overheating, and gasket blow would cause the head to warp? Head and block OK.
I'm wondering is it possible to have a duff batch of cylinder head gaskets?
Cheers
Gerry

[Devils Advocate]

Gerry has the same thing actually happened again now?...is it confirmed once more as a breach between 2 and 3, or is that what you fear. Seems strange to have a bad batch of gaskets with such a time frame between fitting them, In fact I've never had a dodgy gasket.

When they say the head was not cracked, did they xray it or just do a visual?

[gerryh]

Pressure test shows 1 an 4 OK, zero on 2 and 3.
Head is coming off today for a closer look.
I believe the head was pressure tested, don't know about Xray.
Cheers
Gerry

[Devils Advocate]

Be interested to hear the results Gerry....hope it's a painless fix and does not cost too much.

Going only on what you've told me...ie no temp problems,no loss of coolant and I assume no water in the oil I'm now thinking it's maybe not a blown head gasket but a couple of valves not seating correctly.............that would account for the losses on the leak down test.

If it is the headgasket again then I'd be tempted not to let them just put another one on without first finding the reason for the breach, we've been there once.

Cheers

[gus-lopez]

Try having a look on here & / or posting for an answer.
http://www.hyundai-forums.com/f14-prune ... models.htm

[gerryh]

Had a look on there, tried to post a question, but need to register first.
Unable to register as couldn't get past the captcha part of the registration process.
Cheers
Gerry

[gerryh]

The head is off and head gasket blown between cylinders 2 and 3.
The gasket has been on for less than 4500 Km.
Much head scratching is going on as to what is causing the problem.
Cheers
Gerry

[gerryh]

The cylinder head was checked at a different place and was found to have a crack between cylinders 2 and 3. Crack has been welded and machined. All back together and running OK.
The original place tested for flatness and pressure tested. They didn't have the necessary equipment to test for a crack.

Cheers
Gerry