Hi, just bought a dead Escudo - body in fair nick but has a blown head gasket and "it's been driven till it stopped" according to the mechanic. Does anyone know if these are an easy fix, or am I better off just finding a replacement engine straight off?
cheers,
Terry
Escudo 1600 16v blown head gasket
Re: Escudo 1600 16v blown head gasket
Probably farked, I wouldn't touch it. The motors crack heads and blocks so could be either of those two (unlikely to just be gasket).
Re: Escudo 1600 16v blown head gasket
yeah, I'm thinking you're right. Need to find a cheap engine swap 
Re: Escudo 1600 16v blown head gasket
No such thing, the engines are getting heaps rarer and more expensive these days, but I guess the viability of it depends on how much you payed for it.
Re: Escudo 1600 16v blown head gasket
My son did the same thing on his Balino with the same motor. it got so hot the cam belt cover melted. I put a new head gasket in it 4000 Km ago and its been good as gold.
Tony.
Re: Escudo 1600 16v blown head gasket
Driven till it stopped is probably the key. There is a fair chance the head is damaged/ softened, and you run the risk of damage to the rings, block, and so on. I bought one that had been 'semi-cooked' (the spark plug leads ends were molten plastic around the plugs, it must have got a little warm), but it was still OK - planed the head and new gasket and sort the cooling problem that caused it, and all go. 15,000 km later, it's still going strong and loves a good caining. 
As said, these engines are good, but they are not bulletproof - they are expensive / hard to find a head or replacement engine. I was unaware of this when I bought mine, I thought there would be heaps of engines out there, but alas no. But you've bought it now, may as well open it up and see if it's toast or (hopefully) not.
As said, these engines are good, but they are not bulletproof - they are expensive / hard to find a head or replacement engine. I was unaware of this when I bought mine, I thought there would be heaps of engines out there, but alas no. But you've bought it now, may as well open it up and see if it's toast or (hopefully) not.
Re: Escudo 1600 16v blown head gasket
yep, I think it's been hot - the plug leads were cooked onto the plugs, had to chip the ends off with a scriber and hammer to get the socket on them. Plugs themselves look good, it does start (eventually) but chuffing back into the radiator, spits a wee bit out the exhaust too, but doesn't seem to pool in the cylinders when it's off. I'll pull the head and look for cracks, not expecting the best. I figure I'll be looking for an esteem or cultus to pull the head off - about 3 months ago there were 3 vitaras at the Epuni pick-apart, now theres nothing. I guess I can be patient... Just have to work on the samurai in the meantime - I now have 3 trucks and none are actually roadworthy