Suzuki cultus 2015 head gasket issue

[chachabatuta]

My Cultus had a rusty cooling system and was losing water, so I replaced all pipes and installed a new radiator. I flushed the system and added Addinol coolant mixed with water. Now, there are bubbles in the radiator. I’m using 5W30 engine oil, and there is no reduction.

Jameel Autos in Karachi, recommended by PakWheelers, said to continue using it if it's not overheating. They diagnosed a head gasket leak.

Problems:
1. The car loses water from the coolant bottle, requiring weekly refills.
2. The car misfires during cold starts, especially in first and second gear.

Note: There is no oil-water mix in the engine or radiator.

What should I do?

Irshad Bhai from Jameel Autos quoted 10,000 PKR labor for replacing the head gasket, excluding parts and head resurfacing. They suggested a cardboard gasket instead of steel, but I’m unsure which is OEM as the engine has never been opened. Another mechanic at Jameel Autos said cardboard gaskets settle better if there's an uneven surface.

Can you recommend a skilled mechanic in Karachi with proper tools and knowledge? Which head gasket is best, cardboard or steel? Are OEM head bolts available for Cultus, or are aftermarket ones just as good? What other things should I focus on?

[pwuser166331039855]

Try to find which type of gasket comes with the Cultus of your model. You may call couple of Suzuki 3S and ask this question to them.

If they say the original comes with Silver, then just replace it with Silver. And if they say Carboarded, then just follow it.

I guess what Jameel autos has suggested includes the phasing the engine head too. Because it seems your car is overheated which damage the gasket and the head’s mating surface become uneven which caused leak.

In this case they will separate the engine head and will send it to separate
shop where they will re-phase it. And its re-phasing measurements are done in
micrometers/points-millimeters since its very crucial/sensitive part of engine.

I will suggest first change the simple head gasket. If issue is resolved, it would be simple win-win situation. Otherwise have to go for head phasing as suggested by workshop you visited.

What is the issue with head bolts ? You don’t change it unless they are broken or slip. Never use aftermarket bolts and always use original ones. The size/length of these bolts matters a lot even in millimeters.

[chachabatuta]

What is the issue with head bolts

read one of @Xulfiqar bhai thread he said to change it because the already fitted ones change their length.

i want this to be one time job hence looking for a good mechanic. who will be able to measure with tools if head phasing is needed or not. if yes then how much.

Will call Suzuki 3s tomorrow for sure.

[muflah]

Why don't you get it done from a dealership?

[dani_kk]

First of all did they do gasket leak test? Or any signs of water fouling on plugs? Any colour change or water traces found on piston tops?

Compression test should be performed.

All of the above should be done to open the head.
Plus only metal gasket is recommended for it. Get the high end face done and use multi layer steel oem gasket. If gasket issue is detected...

High end face is usually known as diamond face here in machinist terminology. So first do the above as mentioned.

[chachabatuta]

All of the above should be done to open the head.

cant seem to find anyone here in karachi who do all this instead they just check bubbles in the radiator. In the end they all say that they have to open the head to know more.they all dont prefer oem gasket because they can't torque it more. one shop which had decent amount of tools told me there is no relation between compression test and gasket leak and that mechanic has worked in a honda dealership.
ANYONE WHO CAN RECOMMEND ME A GOOD MECHANIC IN KARACHI?

[dani_kk]

Haha hats off to that mechanic. They are trained like that here in Pakistan, this is the main issue that causes many endusers like you to suffer.

And the cars with thermostat valve or all new cars if cap opened show bubbles always so it's a inaccurate test. If he had proper metal capabilities and proper tools he wouldnt have said that.