white smoke...

[twinturbo]

Early DOHC's ( as in the sierra ) had single layer head gaskets. which is prone to failure.

Later Scorpio/Galaxy use a multi layer gasket which is much better.

But the head also does crack between the valves lettign water past and into thebores with no other obvious signs except for possibly full or partial hydualic lock on startup.

If there is absolutly no other sign of a leak then one of the above is the logical conclusion.

TT

[j.brownster79]

I would agree with the other guys sounds and looks like head trouble! U would always get a little white smoke on initial start up due to the cold weather, a few things to look at is 1, look for brown sludge in the rocker cover ( water getting into your oil) 2, coolant system pressuring quickly ( leak across the water jackets) 3, do a hydro carbons test there is a liquid tester you can buy which is not expensive the liquid starts of purple and goes green if there is unburnt fuel in the cooling system! If it proves to be head probs get it skimmed but also pressure tested cos you wouldn't see a crack with ur eyes it could only open up when it gets warm! 1.5 ltrs of water is going somewhere!! Normal engine conditions shouldn't loose any! Hope you get it sorted soon

[voucht]

Hello,

Thank you very much to you all for the replies, infos, tips, etc.

Yes, it really looks like it is a head gasket failure, and perhaps a problem of cracks in the head. There is definitely a kind of brown thing in the header tank, and considering what you all say, the head casket, is dead and may be worse... These aluminium heads can't be skimmed, but only exchanged, at least that what is written in the repair manual.

Well, this engine is 250000 km, it is leaking oil from the rock cover, I suspect crank seals are not in a good shape either, and it is from my donor I bought for £250. When I consider the cost and time of making the tests, buying the parts, and working tame to do to fix the problem I have, without being sure the engine will be OK after that (it is old and used, and other problems can occur), I think I'd better buy another engine.

I found a Scorpio 2.0i DOHC which is 150000km for sale for £250 not far from here, it looks to be in a good shape, and even though I haven't made my mind yet, I think I will go it. It is the easiest, quickest, and perhaps cheapest way to fix my problem. Especially if, as TT says, Scorpio DOHC have a better head gasket.

My first building inspection is booked now for the 28th of January, and I need the definitive engine fitted in the car if I decide to change it before going to the inspection, so I'll make my mind this week-end.

Thanks again for the help

[twinturbo]

What year scorpio is it.

Over here the SCORPIO was the BUGEY from 1995 , pror to that it was the granada.

If it's the BUGEYE then it will be a 16V engine. The downpipe may be different and the inlet is most certainly different. It will also be runnign EEC-V engine management with the ford PATS immobilisers system

The Escort RS2000 loom and ECU can be adapted to run the scorpio 16v engine. though.


If it's a Granada then it probably has the same head gasket as yours but if it's running well then it would be worth it anyway.

You can then strip the old engien at your leisure to see whats up.

Rob

[davidimurray]

Are you sure it was bled properly after the rad change? Could the block have had a big air lock in it and the thermostat opening has dumped it all into the block emptied the header tank. Refill and repeat 4 or 5 times to make sure you do really have water loss.

[Enoch]

Looks like a new Pope has been elected
If you wanted to try a very quick bodge you could put a bottle of K seal in it. If you don't know k seal, it was developed for the Rover K series engine, which has a dirty habit of head gasket failure. In actual fact it's not always gasket failure and more to do with erosion of the head or top of the block. Some say liner slippage is the cause but K seal often does the trick. It's not massively expensive (about £7 a bottle over here) and may just help you get through your inspection without having to do an engine swap.
Best of luck with whatever way you go.
Dave.

[flyerncle]

Does anybody know you are out on your own ?

Drill a small hole in flange of thermostsat to allow air out,did this on the large amount of Rover h/g I have done in the last don't know how many years.

[snapper]

Would suggest head gasket
When white smoke stops water level has dropped below gasket level
Eventually all water would go as it turned to steam