How hard is it to change a head gasket

Muse7707 · Post by **Muse7707** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:37 pm

Just a quick question. No real particular reason. I hope.

How hard is it to change the head gasket??
Can you do it yourself or is it better to have a mechanic do it?
And, what are the most common problems associated with it??

I think I may have to do it cos I've just noticed that under the oil cap there is a creamy coloured build up there. Hoping it's not, as the car is driving fantastic, but I think I read somewhere where that is a sympton?? Is there anything else I should look for, or is that it.

Thanks.

Post by **I8A4RE** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:11 pm

I think if you have to ask how hard it is then you probably shouldnt do it. The biggest issue is f&*king up the timing.

Muse7707 · Post by **Muse7707** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:43 pm

I'm game to try anything..... once.

That's what mechanics are for... when you stuff it up.. they charge the big bucks to fix it.

Don't suppose dumb luck counts for anything on this one.

Post by **dstocks** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 9:14 pm

If by dumb luck you mean replace whole engine if you get it wrong and be prepared to pay 2K odd for the adventure......

One cog out and its valves into pistons.

Post by **Bennoz** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 9:35 pm

Bah, give it a go! I can try & talk you thru it.

f**king up the timing is the least of your worries. You just cable tie the belt to the cogs before you pull the cogs off the end of the cams.

Is it front bank or rear?

koolio1234 · Post by **koolio1234** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 2:14 am

I would of thought you would need it compression tested, isn't that true?

Post by **I8A4RE** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:27 am

Bennoz wrote:Bah, give it a go! I can try & talk you thru it.

This i gotta watch

Post by **Bennoz** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:16 am

koolio1234 wrote:I would of thought you would need it compression tested, isn't that true?

If the oil turns to rancid porridge, thats a pretty sure way to tell its gone between an oil & water gallery. Compression test would only confirm if it had blown between the cylinder & a gallery.

Muse7707 · Post by **Muse7707** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 2:59 pm

Thanks Ben you're the best.

Well, as I said I'm not sure it's gone. It's just ... when I take the oil cap off there's this small deposit... and when I say small it's like the size of a 5 cent piece... of creamy foamy type substance. I clean it away and when I check it again, it's back.

The car's driving great. Plenty of power. No overheating. Just did an oil change and the oil coming out although very very black look good.

I'm game. But I'll get it checked out I suppose first.

What happened to the good old days where the old garage had bits and pieces of engine all over the place and you guessed where everything went back on.

Believe me, I've done that.

:: shakes head :: some people have no sense of adventure.

::grumble... grumble::

Muse7707 · Post by **Muse7707** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:03 pm

Just had a thought!!

A DIY day on head gasket changeover!!!

What?? No takers???

JUST KIDDING!!!!

AMACHA · Post by **AMACHA** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:38 pm

im in melbourne, if you want to change your head gasket i will help you no matter how long it takes! i can help you up to taking the rocker covers off dropping the engine mount and changing the timing belt thats what iv learn so far...

so if you decide you want to have a go at the head gasket, let me know and i will help you out!

only thing we will need to get done professionally is the surfaces machined, we got workshop manual torque wrenches, and bennoz to guide us throught it LETS START

im on university holidays to so in the next couple of months would be a good time to do it!

Muse7707 · Post by **Muse7707** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:04 pm

Thanks for that.

I've got no holidays over Christmas but work morning's so am home by 1.30 at the latest.

I will get it compression tested first. Got it booked in next Thursday. Will let you know.

This is a great group. Thanks for the offers of help. I'm in awe of you guys

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:26 am

I've done head gasket no that hard! Think is just thinking of what needs to be done will take forever.

If your timing belt is still newish mark the teeth of the cam pulley to the belt so when you put the belt back on it will line up.

The head will need to be professionally examined and machine before replacing it. Goodluck though!

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:53 pm

dstocks wrote:If by dumb luck you mean replace whole engine if you get it wrong and be prepared to pay 2K odd for the adventure......

One cog out and its valves into pistons.

Or you mark your belts to your cam pulley to stop this from happening Dwayne!