Head gasket failure & customer support

[cardiffrob]

Our car has only done 40,000 miles from new and the head gasket has just gone. A blocked/stuck thermostat lead to a brief boil-up and subsequently the gasket started to blow a fine stream of water out the front corner of the head. Didn't boil dry since it was only a brief hop to the corner shop.

I've tried contacting the manufacturer but none of their phone numbers seems to work and there isn't an e-mail address published anywhere for them.

I'm still happy with the car since it has previously been faultless (unlike our Merc) but I need to find out if I can get anything done under the warranty.

Does anyone know how I can get in touch with Morris Motors?

 

[mike 109444]

Wedgieboard ?

 

[shenion]

Ooh, an old flat head 4; looks similar to my Willys Jeep engine.

Yeah, I would have loved to contact Willys Overland about the poorly cast block that cracked. I ended up replacing it with a newer '56 engine.

 

[the snooper]

that's terrible service from such a new car get in touch with trading standards surely it should last longer then that

 

[Julian_P]

I should say that you could just anneal the gasket and stick it back again!

Julian

 

[rtbcomp]

I thought motor manufacturers had to supply spares for 10 years, not 100!

 

[cardiffrob]

The handbook has a note written in it that says it had a factory exchange engine under warranty in 1953 so maybe there is a common fault. Product recall?

Strangest thing is that EVERY single nut, bolt and clip undid without the slightest trouble. After cracking the head nuts they could spin off using my fingers even without anything other than the briefest squiz of Plus-gas. Glad none of them broke because they are those "Mad Metric" studs and bolts. (Metric Fine threads with Whitworth heads)

 

[the snooper]

are you going to regrind the valves while its in bits ?

 

[500e]

If you have ALL service records with Dealer stamp with mileage & dated, there may be a chance, especially if you are the first owner
PS Do you still have the "Suez" petrol coupons as well,

Goggled for you maybe not quite the one you were after


MORRIS MOTORS Ltd.
33 Wycliffe Road
·
Alfreton

 

[cardiffrob]

Started at 10 this morning and was finished by lunchtime. Compressions were fine when cold so didn't do the valves (5.5:1 comp ratio)

I've got some busted vertebrae so I had to lay a plank of wood across the wings to rest my self on. Must've looked odd but it certainly reduced the backache. Mind you, Cocodamol is bloody wonderful stuff!

 

[the snooper]

If you have ALL service records with Dealer stamp with mileage & dated, there may be a chance, especially if you are the first owner
PS Do you still have the "Suez" petrol coupons as well,

and the original bill of sale of course

 

[Julian_P]

I've got some busted vertebrae !

Is that all - what are you fussing about

 

[cardiffrob]

Not even Langy could weld them back up.

 

[500e]

Sorry forgot that snooper
I bought a Standard Atlas tipper pick up one owner with All the paper work, from order, garage bill of sale, every service ticket stamped & bill + every MOT, petrol coupons, only did 40K miles original paint & upholstery, belonged to a builder but not a mark on the thing even a canvas tilt on home made frames, we used it for garage run around for 5 years without any problem, Standard Vanguard engine, sold for hansom profit.

 

[octo0072000]

Our car has only done 40,000 miles from new and the head gasket has just gone. A blocked/stuck thermostat lead to a brief boil-up and subsequently the gasket started to blow a fine stream of water out the front corner of the head. Didn't boil dry since it was only a brief hop to the corner shop.

I've tried contacting the manufacturer but none of their phone numbers seems to work and there isn't an e-mail address published anywhere for them.

I'm still happy with the car since it has previously been faultless (unlike our Merc) but I need to find out if I can get anything done under the warranty.

Does anyone know how I can get in touch with Morris Motors?

803cc moggy by the look of it

 

[cecotto479]

Was the 803cc not the earliest A series OHV variant from '52. That'll be the 918cc side valve from the Morris Eight or early MM from '48 - 52?

 

[octo0072000]

Was the 803cc not the earliest A series OHV variant from '52. That'll be the 918cc side valve from the Morris Eight or early MM from '48 - 52?

yes sorry 803cc was first overhead valve engine

also a point i never knew was the first mm moggies was designed for a flat four engine that never happened

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Minor

 

[the snooper]

Started at 10 this morning and was finished by lunchtime. Compressions were fine when cold so didn't do the valves (5.5:1 comp ratio)

I've got some busted vertebrae so I had to lay a plank of wood across the wings to rest my self on. Must've looked odd but it certainly reduced the backache. Mind you, Cocodamol is bloody wonderful stuff!

that wouldn't have looked odd ive seen a few planks working on cars

 

[grandads_shed]

try these on ebay m8 ,, i have used them before and they can make them if they dont have it in stock already made ,, very quick delivery,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/gasketsfo...h=item2c6d990e41&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
they made me a complete set about 4 years ago for a 3,3 cresda 1972 ,,, cost me less than £70 ,, well worth it ,, mind you when i stripped my engine it turned out to be a leaky radiator ,, lol

 

[rtbcomp]

I've moved all the medical posts to a new thread, we were gaetting away from the subject somewhat!

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=41534