Wagon R Engine Head Crack

patelhemals · 23rd December 2008, 09:19

Hi Guys
One fine day while travellin in my wagon r (2004 , with 47 k on odometer)
i saw the coolant overflowing from the coolant box. on inspection i found sticky solution also inside the box. on taking the car to a garage, i was told the gasket would be faulty resulting in oil mixing with the coolant. hence was advised to replace gasket, after a day at the garage the mechanic called to say that the head also has a crack which needs to repaired (incidently a new head costs rs. 18k as i was told)
am i being cheated or would there be a crack in the head? the radiator also head traces of sticky oil and coolant mix.
can the engine head be repaired? if yes... is it advisable to use the car regular or are there chances of it recurring?
please advice???
regards
Hemal

mmmjgm · 23rd December 2008, 09:55

The only way any one else here can help is by looking at photographs.

How did the coolant leak,
Heads crack due to overheating caused by the lack of coolant, manufacturing defects/valve disintegration etc.

IF you can post photos of the head, and heat damage, we may come to some conclusion.

Find out the source of your coolant leakage/ overheating.

cheers

Jaggu · 23rd December 2008, 10:46

Did you have any issue's with car over heating, excessive pinging, loss of power before this?

If the head has cracks (which you can ask the mech to show you, take a pic if possible) then its always better to replace it. But find out the root cause first so that such mishaps dont occur in the future.

patelhemals · 23rd December 2008, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Did you have any issue's with car over heating, excessive pinging, loss of power before this?

If the head has cracks (which you can ask the mech to show you, take a pic if possible) then its always better to replace it. But find out the root cause first so that such mishaps dont occur in the future.

No There was no overheating issue or power loss... yet 2 months back there was knocking which was resolved by the MASS by changing filters.. but they also added that the ac compressor has a minor fault since its noisy.
but post that it was fine...
the coolent overflowed because the can was dislodged,... may be from the hook ...
i dont have pics... the mech is repairin the head at a cost of rs 7000/- and is confident that the issue will not recur... but i am **** scared...
i guess i m fooled by the mech

Jaggu · 23rd December 2008, 12:34

Ideal scenario replace it, if its minor crack yes it can be repaired by skillful workshop. You can always ask for some kind of assurance from the workshop that things will be fine after the repair.

I wouldnt blindly say you are being fooled by the mech, ie if he know what he is doing and a genuine guy. Also please make a visit to the garage and see for yourself what and where is the crack and how it looks after the repair, ideally take some snaps also for reference and posting back here.

23rd December 2008, 09:19	#1
patelhemals BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 79 Thanked: 82 Times	Wagon R Engine Head Crack Hi Guys One fine day while travellin in my wagon r (2004 , with 47 k on odometer) i saw the coolant overflowing from the coolant box. on inspection i found sticky solution also inside the box. on taking the car to a garage, i was told the gasket would be faulty resulting in oil mixing with the coolant. hence was advised to replace gasket, after a day at the garage the mechanic called to say that the head also has a crack which needs to repaired (incidently a new head costs rs. 18k as i was told) am i being cheated or would there be a crack in the head? the radiator also head traces of sticky oil and coolant mix. can the engine head be repaired? if yes... is it advisable to use the car regular or are there chances of it recurring? please advice??? regards Hemal
	() Thanks

23rd December 2008, 09:55	#2
mmmjgm BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: BOM, PNQ, DXB Posts: 398 Thanked: 30 Times	The only way any one else here can help is by looking at photographs. How did the coolant leak, Heads crack due to overheating caused by the lack of coolant, manufacturing defects/valve disintegration etc. IF you can post photos of the head, and heat damage, we may come to some conclusion. Find out the source of your coolant leakage/ overheating. cheers
	() Thanks

23rd December 2008, 10:46	#3
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,384 Thanked: 17,299 Times	Did you have any issue's with car over heating, excessive pinging, loss of power before this? If the head has cracks (which you can ask the mech to show you, take a pic if possible) then its always better to replace it. But find out the root cause first so that such mishaps dont occur in the future.
	() Thanks

23rd December 2008, 12:34	#5
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,384 Thanked: 17,299 Times	Ideal scenario replace it, if its minor crack yes it can be repaired by skillful workshop. You can always ask for some kind of assurance from the workshop that things will be fine after the repair. I wouldnt blindly say you are being fooled by the mech, ie if he know what he is doing and a genuine guy. Also please make a visit to the garage and see for yourself what and where is the crack and how it looks after the repair, ideally take some snaps also for reference and posting back here.
	() Thanks