head gasket leak

[aupickup]

replaced head gasket 5 weeks ago
all done corectly
now the head is leaking coolant from the front spark plug side from yesteday, has been running ok till yesterday
all compressions seem good
engine misfires now on number one cylinder
does this mean the head gasket has gone again

[les]

Well there's no sure way of knowing but if the head has warped it could be that water is seeping into number 1 cylinder and causing the misfire. Try removing the plug and see if any water vapour comes out when cranking.

[aupickup]

would it warp after 5 weeks of running ok

[bmcecosse]

No - but it may have warped when the gasket had to be changed 5 weeks ago. What was the reason for that ? If the gasket was blown - where abouts?? I would chase out a spare head - and do a swop asap.

[aupickup]

there was no leak when i changed it 5 weeks ago
no oil leaks
changed to unleaded head

[bmcecosse]

Change back! Unleaded head completely unnecessary.

[les]

If the head is a different one from before you might have the answer but check the water thing before ripping it off again, I suppose you retightened it?

[aupickup]

retightened
well i have been doing 300 miles plus a week

[PaulTubby]

what sort of head gasket did you use....

[aupickup]

copper

[bmcecosse]

Smeared with thin layer of grease I hope.........

[kennatt]

was it a recon head or second hand one. could be thats why it was off the engine in the first place.Just get it skimmed then you willl be sure its ok.

[aupickup]

fitted dry
but was ok when fitted 5 weeks ago
surely if it was warped it would have leaked when i put it on
will have to take it off again and investigate me thinks

[Trickydicky]

Did you retourqe the head bolts after the first heat cycle?

[aupickup]

yes retorqued
myster y

[bmcecosse]

I'm sure you've read many times my exhortation to smear with a little grease - there is a reason............ But I would seriously doubt that head now. Put the good one back on now.

[aupickup]

so asmear of grease on both sides
will do
i tookthe other head off to refurb it and this wass the only other complete head i had

[aupickup]

whats the reason for grease roy

[aupickup]

an update
went tothe car this morning to check what cylinder wasnt firing and found no2
was not firing
swapped with another plug from no1 and then found that one was not firing
so i missed the first check all together
any way swapped wth aother plug i ha in toolbox and now runs on all 4 ando misfire
they were new ngk plugs what i put in when doing the head so one lasted 5 weeks
i normally use champion
so will be ordering some new champion ones tonight

[bmcecosse]

The little bit of grease just helps to seal the head down - and hopefully prevent water dribbles..... And again - my story of my mates MGB - he couldn't get it started after doing a service. We struggled away - then I asked about the plugs - oh yes - a nice new set of NGKs fitted. I took them out, stuck in an old set of Champs from my tool bag - it fired up right away. The NGKs are somewhere in the field at the back of his house..........