Author Topic: Looking at a Bis, Few questions???  (Read 8848 times)

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Gordan

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #15 on: September 24, 2008, 11:45:36 AM »
:smt102
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stuey

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #16 on: September 24, 2008, 04:10:30 PM »
Quote from: "jumpinjacks"
Also are the parts still available easily for them ?


most consumables are available from local motor factors (althiough often the have to order them,

any major stuff is usually available through online specialists or ebay.

Ive never not been able to find the bits ive needed!
one resprayed and another arrives- double trouble BIS style!!

jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #17 on: September 24, 2008, 11:33:07 PM »
What a nighmare that was, I got a train at 8:00am this morning and arrive at Cardiff statin for 1:30pm. Car looks cool so I buy it, and then 10 miles down the road the car starts overheating, and steam comes out the back and it starts juddering. So I have to pull in to the hard shoulder and wait for the free recovery to pick me up.
They arrive and take me to the nearest services where I phone the RAC, they send a guy out and he looks at it and then fills it with water and bleeds the radiator as there wasn't any water left in it and there was an air lock. So I try it again with him following me down the motorway, then he flashes me and the car is starting to overheat again  :evil: , water is spitting out the back. I still hadn't gotten out of Cardiff yet!!!
So then he arranges for a recovery truck to come and pick me up to take me home back to Cornwall. So after loads more waiting at the side of the road and the recovery depot I arrived home at 10:00pm. What a long day!!!!  :evil:
So now where do I go from here, now the car is home?
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Gordan

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #18 on: September 25, 2008, 07:42:42 AM »
sorry to hear all that mate...
not sure what it is, cos it never happened to me, but open the rear boot, on the left side there is a cap, unscrew it, and start the car, as i understand it if you hear a cappuccino making sound on the filler hole the head gasket had gone. not sure about all this though, other members should be more informed...
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jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #19 on: September 25, 2008, 12:18:07 PM »
I have just taken the car to my local garage, and they tested the head gasket. And it has indeed gone.
So I take it now I will need to strip it down and skim the head?
Wheres the cheapest place to buy a copper head gasket from?
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Gordan

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« Reply #20 on: September 25, 2008, 06:30:53 PM »
And the guy that sold you the car forgot to mention this?? WHat an as**ole..  :???:
Dont really know anything about the headgasket problems, so youll have to consult with other memebers here.
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jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #21 on: September 25, 2008, 08:10:19 PM »
Yeah I know, I moaned at them aswell. But they said that they aren't paying anything, as its sold as seen.
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stuey

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #22 on: September 25, 2008, 08:31:21 PM »
really sorry to hear this I had the same with mine after a month....

but lets focus on the problem-

you can get a head gasket (a full kit is a better idea as you can renew the inlet/exhaust gaskets as well) from you local motor factors, they will problee need to order it,

while you are waiting you can get the head removed, it will need skimming but this can be done by any machine shop or engine reconditioning centre, just get them to do it the minimum amount to to ensure it is flat and will seal properly..

it is possible to remove the head with the rear panel in situ but its much easier and quicker with it removed, just make sure the engine it support prior to start (a large piece if wood will suffice but a trolley jack is best.

apart from this its basically a nuts and bolts job (make sure you wd40 the sh*t out of the exhaust bolts for a day or so before starting) most of which is detailled in the workshop manual, if you need help  just ask but its shouldnt take more than a week or so to sort it-

dont  get disheartened it has happened to most of the BIS owners on this forum at some point and at lest if you fix it you know its right!

again-ask if you need any help!!
one resprayed and another arrives- double trouble BIS style!!

jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #23 on: September 25, 2008, 09:09:18 PM »
Thanks for the help there mate.
What can I do to try and stop this happening again?
Take the thermostat out I guess.
Someone said to me that some stuff called K-seal which is radiator sealant can seal where the head gasket is blowing aswell as it is that good. I do have some but am unsure whether to try it or not. What do you think?
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jumpinjacks

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« Reply #24 on: September 25, 2008, 09:24:11 PM »
Also forgot to ask earlier, which head gasket is better to get, a copper head gasket or a normal one?
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stuey

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #25 on: September 25, 2008, 09:27:51 PM »
I dont think they came with a copper one but I'd go for the most expensive which should be the copper one then at least you know you havent got to do the job twice as for the sealent leve it do it the job the right was it it would be a temporary fix.

as for preventative measures the thermostat is a good start apart from that just enusre you bleed the cooling system properly and make sure the cooling fan is working as this was what cause mine to shag its head in the first place.
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jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #26 on: September 25, 2008, 09:32:35 PM »
Sorry what was that about the sealant? As I think you had a typo.
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stuey

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« Reply #27 on: September 25, 2008, 11:07:02 PM »
basically dont use it- its a temporary fix which could cause more damage in the long run, do the job properly and then you know you can rely upon it.
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jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #28 on: September 25, 2008, 11:11:49 PM »
Yeah thats what I thought. Gonna order head gasket tomorrow
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Gordan

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #29 on: September 26, 2008, 11:21:41 AM »
On a side note, here when we buy a car, we sign a standard car buying/selling contract, and one of the statements is that the buyer can return the car and get a full refund if there is something wrong with it (within two days). Dont know if you guys have this, but it could have been usefull...
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