I think my car is the 2nd series of Astina's made in 91

Anyway - My alternator/water pump belt broke and i didnt realize untill i had driven about 3 or 4 km and i noticed my temp gage was nearly to the top. I pulled over straight away and shut off the engine. I replaced the belt and took it for a spin - only to notice that my temp gage was creeping above halfway again i stopped to let it cool down and i noticed that the coolant resevour had slimey greesy mud like stuff in it (obviously im not a mechanic - anyhoo I think ive done a head gasket but i think the actal head is ok coz it still runs fine - can i replace the head gasket by myself (with alittle help) or sould i not even chance it and take it to a mechanic.

My Astina has feul injection, 1.8l Engine, p/steering, air con, blah bla blah all the stuff that makes working on it harder....


Does anyone have any help they can offer me?? I would really apreciate it

 

I had a similar situation with my astina, had the radiator checked, all the pros said it was head gasket leaking etc. But ended up being the themostat, change that first, its worth a go.

 

u can do it man and here is a simple way to test head gasket fill the radiator and have someone watch as you start the car with the cap off the radiator if it blows water out it is 95% shure off blown and another way is to check ur dipstick for milky light brownish oil and water drops, but u have to take in to fact that u heated that head above warping temps so i would recomend u have it checked for any warping and if so have it shaved .0500of inch and if its not warped have it pressure tested for crackes allso its probly got lots of miles on it so its more likely to have craked so that is a good idea. for replacing the gasket and something still being wrong will cost u an exstra gasket and you might need head bolts so ask around to see if they are reusable i dont know good luck bud just ask if you have any more q's

 

The other telltale signs are white exhaust and wet plugs (check them after the engine has run and then cooled down to ambient temperature).