The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Hi all,

I’m reaching out for some advice from anyone who has experience with the 2005 Citroën Dispatch 1.9D (DW8 engine), specifically around replacing the head gasket. Here’s the situation:

A few weeks ago, I noticed the van was leaking a very small amount of coolant from the radiator. Unfortunately, I didn't realise it in time and ended up driving it on the motorway. It overheated, and now the van won’t start. I’ve been told it has no compression, and from what I’ve read, this points to a blown head gasket.

The van has only done 75,000 miles, and it runs great, otherwise. It’s a real part of our family. We converted it into a camper during COVID and even documented the whole process on YouTube. So, it feels really hard to think about just letting it go. But, after getting a few quotes, having a mechanic replace the engine is way out of our budget, and we’re not ready to send it to the “scrapyard in the sky.”

I found a new head gasket on eBay for £45, and I’m keen to tackle the job myself. However, I’ve never done a head gasket replacement before, and I'm wondering:

Has anyone ever done this on a 2005 Citroën Dispatch (or similar van)?

How difficult is the job? Any specific tips or tools I’ll need?

Is there anything I should be aware of, like common mistakes or things I might miss?

Could the head gasket issue be connected to the radiator leak, or could I be looking at further damage due to the overheating?

I’d really appreciate any advice from those who’ve been through this, especially from people who’ve worked on the DW8 engine. I’m trying to avoid paying a mechanic if I can help it, but I also want to make sure I’m doing this safely and properly.

Thanks so much for your time and any help you can provide!