Peugeot partner diesel - is it the cyl. head gasket?

[romko]

Recently had trouble with this diesel engine. Was driving along when the water tank burst, lots of steam everywhere. Got towed home and now, even after replacing the tank, when you try to use it there is lots of bubbling and excessive pressure. I have not dared run it for more than a few minutes just in case.

If you remove the cap and let the engine idle you can see the water bubbling and frothing. that said, there does not appear to be smoke or obvious fuel deposits there.

Is this likely the end of the road for it? A cyclinder head gasket replacement is such a big and costly job I'm not in a position to afford right now :-(

[logic]

you don't say which water tank burst, but i assume you mean the header,
If this is the case, obviously there is a lot of pressure coming from somewhere, and more than likely it's the head gasket leaking exhaust gas into the cooling system, you wont see many traces of soot or oil, as most of it is burnt off in the combustion process, although it's worth checking the thermostat, if you haven't already,
BTW if it is the head gasket, all the cooling system will pressurize, making the top hose rock hard, so have a feel at that, before you remove the cap.
If it's hard, then i fear the worst.

[jake-the-peg]

It could also be a failed water pump.

White smoke from the exhaust is the classic sign of a failed head gasket with coolant getting into the cylinders but I'm not sure if that holds up for the higher compression you get in diesels

[TWR]

When you have re-filled the system & checked for obvious water leaks, try bleeding the system first, if that is ok get the system pressure tested to give you definite reason to get the head done, the Quickest way around this is to get a replacement unit, You can pick one up for £150 up depending on the mileage to replace you are in the £150>>£200, It would cost you this to take off the head,skim,gaskets, belt, oil, that is if the head has not cracked, a hairline crack cannot be seen until under pressure so if you decide on the repair, ask them to pressure test the head. Good Luck.

[AlBags]

Fairly common problem on these diesels.
The head has to come off, be pressure checked and flatness checked.
If head damaged, can be an expensive business, which is why some scrap cars/vans with this sort of problem. Good parts in short supply, so get onto eBay earlier rather than later!

[romko]

Thank you all very much for the informative responses. Now to find a local mechanic to check it, watch this space...