Hi all,

Bit more active on the forum since the MINI has had some cooling system issues.

After my radiator leak, engine overheat and radaiator replacement its evident the head gasket on the car has gone. It pressurises the system once warm such that coolant gets pushed out the expansion bottle. The main system header level goes up and down with engine revs with burping and gassing as combustion gases are getting into the coolant jacket. The water thats being pushed out has the tell tale oil slick on top from oil contamination.

Ive order an workshop manual to help but Ive started stipping down the engine bay ready to lift the head and get it checked for flatness.

Are there any tips people can share? Ie leave the intake manifold or take it off?

Ive never done a timing chain either, worth investing in the timing chain tool? Can you get to the bottom pulley easy enough to check timing after you have had the chain off the cam pulley?

How frequent are head gasket failures and whats the normal fix? The fact BMW sell a thicker HG gives me a degree of confidence that I can do a skim, remain in manufacturer limits and not compromise engine timing by chaining the chain run length between sprockets.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.