advice on fixing blown head gasket

[topdogg]

I aim to replace the head gasket on my peugeot 405 1.9 td my only concern is what caused the blow in the first place. (i never had any problems with overheating) . I am told that gaskets do blow on occasion with nothing necessarely wrong with engine .Is that correct?? are there any precauctions i should take. Also is there an easy way of telling if the head is warped so would be in need of skimming. Thank you TONY

 

[Belle427]

my mates gave up the ghost at 170000 miles with little indication,didnt warp the head, you can check it with a good engineers metal ruler or squre placed across the gasket surface in several places,see if you can get a feeler gauge between surface and ruler, the maximum distortion figure can be had from a haynes manual

 

[topdogg]

thanks for that ch427

 

[Stivino]

I'd get it skimmed as a matter of course. Should only be about £35ish.

 

[Jim'll fix it.]

Don't skim if not needed is the advice I have seen in many places.
By skimming the head the compression ratio will go up.
Check as descibed above.

 

[rottie007]

sorry just posted a reply then saw the date