If it's any consolation, I certainly didn't read anything negative towards Martin in the original posts.

If it's an original head gasket, it does of course increase the probability of head gasket leakage, although if it was bad enough to cause rough running it would be chucking it's coolant out within seconds of giving the throttle a tickle.

I would go through the steps already indicated above to try to diagnose the rough running, i.e. ECU reset and repeat fault code check.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

I also saw nothing derogatory but I certainly understand Martin's concern
In my head it read "Martin changed the HG so it's unlikely to be that again"
However' I stand by my comments on the cam cover. Not because of anything Martin did but because my experience is they settle in the first few months and can start to leak

Martins offer of a HC check is good one. I think it will be positive (I guess oil in the water means it's a dead cert) but from the symptoms I think your issue is in the turbo chra given the lack of overheating and coolant expulsion. Hence a pressure test on the coolant system would be a required test for me

I didn't see anything about oil in the water, only mayo under the oil filler cap.
Unless there is noticable coolant loss, I doubt it's anything to worry about.

I'm expecting the rough running to be something else.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

No probs mahender and thanks for clearing all the confusion up, if you want work doing then just drop me a call as you know am nothing like the normal garages and love working on these cars and only a short drive away

Theres no offence taken I always stand by my work so wanted to make sure it wasnt anything i had done, would hate for any of my work to fail and if it did I would be wanting to know why it had, don`t forget the offer of free hydrocarbon test it will put your mind at ease one way or another if nothing else

Martin

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We now have a new website

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If there's enough mayo to indicate a breach somewhere it's likely that there's a little bit of oil in the water. Just trying to point out that in such circumstances I'd expect a sniff test fail even if the hg is perfectly OK

Agree on the rough running. I'd start with plugs expecting to find one or more full of oil. You could also check for tip discoloration at the same time

Hi guys, happy easter to you all.

I am enjoying a few days in st. Ives and on the way down went shopping at tcb.
I have purchased the following:-
Tps sensor
Ecu temp sensor
Plugs for sensor
205 head gasket
Head bolts
Dizzy cap
Rotor arm
Plugs
Fuel filter and
205 catch can.
I am going home today and plan to start work this week.
I am planning to remove stuff top down on the car , I want to clean off the oil from the back of engine and see if I can find the culprit. For my oil leak.
I will also be changing the brake discs and will start to tackle the body work probs.

Thanks.

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THIS IS MY 4. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS MINE.
red st185, running 10 psi all gears, powerflow cat back, and air filter. oh and fab scoop splitters

I'm a little nervous about starting but am confident in myself (a bit lol)
I'm gonna use the manual and any info from here and Kris' site.

Does a head have to be skimmed? Can I clean and replace without?

I'm not really sure what else I need to ask sorry lol.

I really wanted to give an update and say sorry once again for the implications.
Do you have any tips or any suggestions please?

Thank youfor all the advice.

Edit. I've just read the other post stating the 205 gasket needs to be super smooth.

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THIS IS MY 4. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS MINE.
red st185, running 10 psi all gears, powerflow cat back, and air filter. oh and fab scoop splitters

For head removal with engine in place, I leave the inlet and exhaust manifolds attached to the head and lift off the whole lot together. This means you can leave the turbo and downpipe in place therefore saving a load of effort. The tricky bits are undoing the 2 inlet manifold stay bolts behind / under the inlet manifold, and undoing the 4 turbo to manifold nuts (use a good quality spanner so as not to round off the nuts)

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

I would definitely get the head checked to see if it needs skimming, in all likelihood it will need doing.

It would be a shame to get it all back together to find out it did need it.

Don't apologise about asking questions - everyone has to learn

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GT4DC Events Co-ordinator
1996 ST205 UK

Both faces need to be spotless for the metal gasket. After a paper gasket, that means a lot of very hard scraping. It's very difficult not to damage the face of the alloy head while doing this. It's easier and safer to go for a light skim then you know it's straight too.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

I guarantee the block face will have low points as well as pitting, etc its in the nature of the 185`s in everyone ive stripped but to skim the block face you need to completely strip the engine, as others have said head face will likely need a very light skim also

Your best bet is to post pics and we will help you as you progress

Martin

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thank you so much,
i will be taking my laptop with me so i can reference the forum and really plan to document this journey into unknowns .

i shall post pics of the oil cap in the morning and shall take some video of the beast misbehaving before i start to strip down

i am comfortable up to taking the inter warmer and the surrounding top of the bay then the actual engine block including the turbo is new territory for me.

i have my trusty halfords tool kit and access to engine lift and torque wrench, axle stands,

if i end up scratching my thinning head for a bit i am gonna do the body work prepping. a few dints and scratches and i have a hole in the front wing about the size of a 50p I'm gonna grind back and see how it really is.

i truly have made the beast part of who i am. twenty two years later it still holds presence and even in its poor state after 12 years of owning me and my wallet it makes me feel so good to be in. i am guessing all of you will relate to my sentiment and know its not in a shiny *bleep* way and mask way or anything perverse. ha ha .

heartfelt thanks guys
ill post in the morning.

_________________
THIS IS MY 4. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS MINE.
red st185, running 10 psi all gears, powerflow cat back, and air filter. oh and fab scoop splitters

_________________
THIS IS MY 4. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS MINE.
red st185, running 10 psi all gears, powerflow cat back, and air filter. oh and fab scoop splitters

videos of offending behavior







edited, its easire on the pc than phone.

Here you go guys.

Thanks

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THIS IS MY 4. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS MINE.
red st185, running 10 psi all gears, powerflow cat back, and air filter. oh and fab scoop splitters

this video is second day thought id start it up again and no blue smoke. im wondering if maybe its cause my oil is low


this was the engine side of the oil breather pipe.


my throttle body butterfly valve looks really cruddy .

is there a good way to clean it as i am worried about stuff going into the throttle body.im thinking i will put na rag in there and use a toothbrush with some cleaner on it?



how does my turbo look guys? i feel no play in the blades and see no damage to the fins?



this is the turbo out to the top mount. car is up on stands so i couldnt really see down properly.

from left to right (oil cap to dizzy) no1 plug



it was indeed covered in oil.

the others

_________________
THIS IS MY 4. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS MINE.
red st185, running 10 psi all gears, powerflow cat back, and air filter. oh and fab scoop splitters