Vitara misfire

[turbo-tom]

Yeah id service it mate, first thing i do when i by a second hand motor full service plug, leads, caps, rotors, all the fluids etc works wonders

[Hotbob]

I have read another post with the exact same problem as mine. Just waiting on an answer to if he solved the problem or not

[Hotbob]

Just to update. I haven't managed to get it compression tested yet but now is leaking water out of the header tank overflow and bubbling up in the header tank :/

[ScottieJ]

Sounds like a possible headgasket failure to me, compression and of a sniffer yet will confirm. It's quite an easy job though.

[turbo-tom]

Not good! but atleast the aint hard to do!

[Hotbob]

I'll do a compression test then whip the head off and get it skimmed. Just wondering why it's throwing the water out the rad into the header tank. I was expecting it to use water I.e water going into the bore or water in the oil. I expect it will all become apparent

[twiss]

if the water gets really hot and very pressurised the spring loaded bit of rad cap will allow it to escape into the header tank and then de-pressurise from there...
it could be a sign that the head gasket has split allowing water into the combustion chamber...
I guess thats what scottie means by washed plugs?

If its split that will probably heat the water up fast and you would get bubbles in your radiator... try taking the cap off and running the engine, if you get a load of bubbles in the rad its not good!

[ScottieJ]

If it hasn't overheated then I would just get the head checked for flatness/warpage and maybe get it pressure tested for cracks. the first bit is not that hard to do using a straight edge and feeler gauges, think the service limit is 0.05mm, usually if there is visible signs on the headgasket that it has been leaking from a waterway into the cylinders ill just check the head for warping and if its within spec just throw it back on with a new headgasket.

[Hotbob]

Just to update. Still have a misfire but still not done a compression test yet but I have fitted a new water pump and thermostat and I seem to have cured the over heating problem. For now anyway. On doing the water pump I obviously had to do the cam timing. I put it back how I took it off but I'm not convinced its timed right. Does anybody have a diagram of how it should be times. Thanks

[Hotbob]

Another update. Started overheating again but I'm pretty sure my fan doesn't work as it should as I can stop it with my hand. Fitted a new cap and rotar arm and the misfires still there so it looks like the heads coming off over the weekend