Hey guys....I have a 2001 Elantra with 160,000 miles on the clock. Its never given me any problems and I always stay up to date on maintenance. Im getting ready to do the timing belt and I was wondering if head gaskets ever need to be changed for maintenance reasons? Like I said, the car has never given me any problems, looks great, and operates like it was brand new. I have the ability to change the head gasket myself if I need to. Just wanted the experts opinion on whether it should be done with this kind of mileage on the car. Thanks for the help.

 

i just did the same thing this past weekend only because i was installing my port and polished head & timing belt-...



aside from doing a mod such as the head, i wouldn't bother w/ it.

 

Don't do it unless you are expecting the gasket to fail for some reason.

 

Head gaskets have the same replacement schedule as light bulbs: as necessary due to failure.