Leaky Head Gasket =[
06-23-2008, 11:35 PM
#1
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Ok so my head gasket PS is leaking..and I know that I want to get it done or do it but I have no idea where to start stupid site
search is not helping a thing, and we dont have a write up on it as far as I could see when I looked through the DIY section.
How hard is it because I would rather save the money and put it towards something else on the car.
search is not helping a thing, and we dont have a write up on it as far as I could see when I looked through the DIY section.
How hard is it because I would rather save the money and put it towards something else on the car.
06-23-2008, 11:49 PM
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if you can follow directions to the T and have the tools it's something you can do yourself in a day.
follow the steps via hmaservice.com and you'll be fine. You'll need a torque wrench.
follow the steps via hmaservice.com and you'll be fine. You'll need a torque wrench.
06-24-2008, 02:37 AM
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Pat is right. make damn sure you use ONLY a torque wrench to tighten down the bolts cause they only require 6 to 7 ft. lbs. which really isnt alot and you can easily tighten to snug 15ft. lbs. just with a wrench and then snap, you have a broken bolt in your head.
06-25-2008, 03:10 PM
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WTF? I hope you're not referring to the head bolts when you say 6-7 ft-lbs! Those things take alot more than that. More like 22-26 ft-lbs, then 60 degrees, followed by another 60 degrees.
Anyways, it's not a hard job, you just need to think about what you're doing while doing it. First you'll want to drain the coolant and oil, remove the coolant hoses, heater hoses, and a couple random vacuum lines in the back. Then remove the exhaust manifold, disconnect the intake, sensors, throttle cables, remove the crank pulley, timing cover, and timing belt. Pop the valve cover off, take the cam bearing caps loose, remove the cams, and take out the head bolts. Verify that everything is disconnected from the head, and pull the head off the car with the intake manifold still attached, trust me it's easier than trying to fish around in the dark for those intake bolts on the back. Once it's off, pull the gasket off, clean everything up, and inspect for damage. You should probably take the head to a machine shop to have it inspected for cracks. They have a special procedure for this, which is much better than the naked eye can do. Once you have everything cleaned up, pop the new gasket on there and put everything back where you found it. It may be easier to get little ziploc bags and label all the bolts if you think you'll have trouble with remembering where it all goes.
Anyways, it's not a hard job, you just need to think about what you're doing while doing it. First you'll want to drain the coolant and oil, remove the coolant hoses, heater hoses, and a couple random vacuum lines in the back. Then remove the exhaust manifold, disconnect the intake, sensors, throttle cables, remove the crank pulley, timing cover, and timing belt. Pop the valve cover off, take the cam bearing caps loose, remove the cams, and take out the head bolts. Verify that everything is disconnected from the head, and pull the head off the car with the intake manifold still attached, trust me it's easier than trying to fish around in the dark for those intake bolts on the back. Once it's off, pull the gasket off, clean everything up, and inspect for damage. You should probably take the head to a machine shop to have it inspected for cracks. They have a special procedure for this, which is much better than the naked eye can do. Once you have everything cleaned up, pop the new gasket on there and put everything back where you found it. It may be easier to get little ziploc bags and label all the bolts if you think you'll have trouble with remembering where it all goes.
06-26-2008, 11:08 PM
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It is very straight forward, most then likely you will need to get the head resurfaced, make sure you buy a 10mm and 8mm hex sockets for the head bolts if i remember properly...
06-29-2008, 09:26 AM
#9
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Really, you guys torque the rockers? I don't think I've EVER torqued them down, but I DID crack a Pony rocker (I just heard a slight crack when I was tightening it, and I stopped!) which I still use years later. I know Liz doesn't torque anything either... I guess we're just "that good!"
As for the leak, i'd start with the rocker cover. I thought my 93 swift had a bad head gasket (OIL EVERYWHERE!), and one day when I was adjusting the lash on the valves, I saw that the rocker cover gasket was totally disintegrated. So I replaced it. the head gasket "leak" was solved! Dry engine up until I sold it to my ex's bro.
As for the leak, i'd start with the rocker cover. I thought my 93 swift had a bad head gasket (OIL EVERYWHERE!), and one day when I was adjusting the lash on the valves, I saw that the rocker cover gasket was totally disintegrated. So I replaced it. the head gasket "leak" was solved! Dry engine up until I sold it to my ex's bro.
