Welcome, you have come to the right place, lots of willing and very good knowledgeable help on this forum!
To add to Gordon's good advice.
First read through the CRD NOOB guide at least a couple of times, lots of very good information for a new owner.
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viewtopic.php?f=5&t=54207Appears you are on the right track as to the head gasket, cam belt, and head testing. Only thing I would add, when you pull the head, replace all the exhaust valves. Several on this forum have reported breaking an exhaust valve around the milage you stated and when this happens, the damage can be catastrophic since this is an interference engine.
It can be super ugly and get very expensive and / or take out the whole engine!
As to the bad EGR misinformation you were given by a couple of crd guys; it was a bunch of bull. Trust this forum for the correct information on these vehicles as most mechanics even the dealer ones don't have a clue about the unique nuances of this engine.
The EGR system CAN be totally removed or at least rendered inoperative. Many owners have done this including myself many years ago!
The FCV is simply there to create a low pressure zone for the EGR system to dump exhaust into the intake system which is VERY bad on the engine internals. It serves no run-a-way control as some might suggest.
The EGR systems causes premature wear on the engine as it loads the oil with soot and creates large amounts of soot buildup in the intake manifold where it mixes with the oil vapors coming from the CCV system to the point of greatly choking or restricting the airflow off entering the head.
To totally remove the EGR system: the Weeks elbow kit gets rid of the EGR valve, EGR cooler, and FCV (flow control valve) and allows you to delete all the associated coolant lines to/from the EGR cooler. (potential coolant leaks) >
SasquatchParts.comJust to block off the EGR system: simply add a EGR block off plate between the EGR exhaust feed line the EGR Valve and remove the butterfly out of the FCV. (see below)
For details see these two threads:
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viewtopic.php?f=5&t=76576>
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=76576
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