Headgasket - how easy is the job?

[Dave]

My HG is nearly done, but idling I have no pressure, it just builds slowly over time. Normally you will get a strong smell of exhaust fumes into the coolant, and can profoundly smell it if there isn't happening then I wouldn't worry. Obviously if your expansion chamber is overflowing with pressure then its time for a gasket, but until then I wouldn't worry about a spongy hose.



This is what I mean by coolant overflow.... well and truly joined team orange engine bay coolant pipes rock hard, but since dropping the boost its become reliable again... (this happened months ago, but still fine) so dont be hasty to jump in doing the gasket until you know its definite.