[Mgs] Anti freeze Weep From Head Gasket

[Paul Hunt]

Not normal, shouldn't happen at any time.  It can be caused by a gasket 
leak, but also a cracked head.  With a gasket leak could be a warped head as 
well as an actual gasket problem.  When the gasket *does* go it is often 
(usually?) between cylinders 2 and 3 and not external.  Whilst it is normal 
to retorque the nuts after a couple of hundred miles or so, it still 
shouldn't be leaking beforehand - or afterwards.  When retorquing it is only 
necessary to break the stiction, which only needs a fraction of a turn, less 
than 1/4 turn, and certainly not 'loose' before retightening or I'd have 
thought you could be risking warping.  Do one nut at a time i.e. back-off 
and retorque one nut before moving on to the next, going round in the 
original order.   2,400 miles seems enough to preclude any component problem 
when assembled, or incorrect assembly.  It's a fact of life these days that 
components i.e. the gasket often don't last like they should, it should last 
many 10's of thousands of miles.  However it also depends on what gasket you 
used.  A copper-faced can just be whacked on and tightened up, but a 
composite needs much more care as it has to bond to the head and block to 
give a proper seal.  The head and block surfaces must be scrupulously clean, 
a bit-by-bit torquing process in the correct order, then run the engine 
*dry* till it gets very warm to the touch but not too hot to touch, then 
left overnight to cool down.  Then retorque using the backing-off process, 
then fill with coolant but *without* the rad cap and run until getting up to 
temperature, or until the coolant starts overflowing, then again left to 
cool overnight.  Next day retorque again backing-off as before, then refil 
with coolant, replace cap, and away you go.  The valve need readjusting 
after each retorque.

PaulH.

----- Original Message ----- 
>I just completed the rebuild of my MGB. I rebuilt the engine and re-torqued
> the head bolts after approximately 300 miles.  After 2,400 miles, I just
> noticed a weep of anti freeze coming from the head gasket above my spark
> plugs.