Coolant loss 1.9TDi 130 AVF engine

From the perspective of doing this DIY, you can JUST make it work financially IF you are keeping the car. Rebuilding the original head is a mugs game, it will not last unless you can have it Hot Isostatic Pressure impregnated after the refacing. This is a micro thin coating that prevents (sort of) porous surface seal failure and so the only sensible method is to fit a new head, AMC make some good parts and there are some Chinnese copies around that seem OK. A new cam kit is also very sensible, make sure it is billet not cast. Alternatively, the sooner all light vehicle diesel is scrapped the better my lungs will be.....

Thank you for your reply Crasher. Some interesting things to consider there. What are my chances of taking the existing head off and finding that it doesn't need skimming or refacing in any way? And if so, would it be stupid to refit it?

It MAY not be warped but the injector bores WILL be worn and to get a suitable surface finish for a new gasket it would need refacing.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...redamage-2.jpg

Thanks again Crasher!

First of sorry to hear about the car
I know this is of little help to you, But there are so many of these engines in scrapyards
Would you not consider just replacing the whole engine with another Avf
Most blocks are going cheap now

Better the Devil you know than one out of a scrapyard...

Ye, I know what you mean crasher.