Just my luck, Christmas holidays and the head gascket on my car as gone, car keeps losing water, my usual garage are not back at work until after the new year.

Anyone know of a garage that is open?

Would it be ok to keep topping the water up until I get it fixed next week?

Its not a punto by any chance is it?
My head gaskett is failing,its like running a steam engine at the moment,litre of water a day!!Trading it in any day now though!
The problem with a blown head gaskett is the water will enter the oil,therefore diluting it,can cause the engine to seize,also running the car at a higher temperature could damage the head,meaning it may need "skimming" all adding to the final cost.
Iam restricting mine to very short journeys at the moment,although that is risky,just hoping it holds on till i part ex it.

Originally posted by deano
Its not a punto by any chance is it?
My head gaskett is failing,its like running a steam engine at the moment,litre of water a day!!Trading it in any day now though!
The problem with a blown head gaskett is the water will enter the oil,therefore diluting it,can cause the engine to seize,also running the car at a higher temperature could damage the head,meaning it may need "skimming" all adding to the final cost.
Iam restricting mine to very short journeys at the moment,although that is risky,just hoping it holds on till i part ex it.

Its a Mondeo, I put 8 litres of water in earlier now it is going straight threw, dripping all over the place.

Originally posted by deano
Its not a punto by any chance is it?
My head gaskett is failing,its like running a steam engine at the moment,litre of water a day!!Trading it in any day now though!
The problem with a blown head gaskett is the water will enter the oil,therefore diluting it,can cause the engine to seize,also running the car at a higher temperature could damage the head,meaning it may need "skimming" all adding to the final cost.
Iam restricting mine to very short journeys at the moment,although that is risky,just hoping it holds on till i part ex it.
Why oh why didn't i take notice of my own advice:mad:
Just been out in my car,you got it,engine has seized,i can"t believe it,well i can,i shouldnt have driven it.
It blew up outside fagins,clouds of smoke everywhere!!
The irony is it was going for a trade in tommorrow,i"m gutted.
All i will say is DON"T drive yours,it"s not worth it.
Noticed while i was out that Bows garage is open,its just off shalemoor,up the side of the baby care centre on trinity street,0114 2700040.
Im going to get drunk now,one more day and it would have been gone,it is now scrap.

Originally posted by deano
Why oh why didn't i take notice of my own advice:mad:
Just been out in my car,you got it,engine has seized,i can"t believe it,well i can,i shouldnt have driven it.


Seems to be quite a week for engines.

The timing belt on mine has snapped, dropping the valves straight on to the pistons.

Plenty of garages open today. Though no one will attempt a repair (head off, new valves, new head gasket etc...) - To make matters worse.... I have a full tank of petrol in the dead car, and had a new clutch fitted 2 weeks ago!

Looking for another car for again! :-(

Its a nightmare,if its an oldish car(mines a 96) its virtually scrap,
and to think mine would have been gone tomorrow:mad:

my timimg belt went snap doing 5 out of the 8 valves on my renault laguna 2.2 diesel cost me £760 plus vat!!! nice to be back on the road tho !!!!

Originally posted by deano
Why oh why didn't i take notice of my own advice:mad:
Just been out in my car,you got it,engine has seized,i can"t believe it,well i can,i shouldnt have driven it.
It blew up outside fagins,clouds of smoke everywhere!!
The irony is it was going for a trade in tommorrow,i"m gutted.
All i will say is DON"T drive yours,it"s not worth it.
Noticed while i was out that Bows garage is open,its just off shalemoor,up the side of the baby care centre on trinity street,0114 2700040.
Im going to get drunk now,one more day and it would have been gone,it is now scrap.

Sorry to hear your bad news, I'll wait for the mechanics to take mine to the garage. Thanks for the garage info.

Just a little warning if your head gasket has failed. Don't repeat DON'T keep using the car as it's quite possible you'll need more than a new gasket and head skimming isn't cheap.

to add to the last post....

If you head has already been skimmed chances are they wont do it again for fear of weakening it.

Plus if you keep driving it at high temperature and filling it with cold water, the head could crack, in which case a skim is pointless and you will need a new head.

leave it, get it booked in and take to the garage. best way really! :)