Head gasket job thread- overhaul
- Thread starter Nick R
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Great pics. I just wanted to say I think it's great that you're doing this yourself!
I don't think I've been following well enough though and I apologize if you've already covered this, but what sparked this massive overhaul you've been doing?
I don't think I've been following well enough though and I apologize if you've already covered this, but what sparked this massive overhaul you've been doing?
Originally Posted By: Nick R
In the pic of the exhaust manifold it appears that the second hole from the left is the one sucking water.
In the pic of the exhaust manifold it appears that the second hole from the left is the one sucking water.
Originally Posted By: rationull
Great pics. I just wanted to say I think it's great that you're doing this yourself!
I don't think I've been following well enough though and I apologize if you've already covered this, but what sparked this massive overhaul you've been doing?
Empty coolant resovoir. I had checked and topped it off about 2 weeks before, and a bunch of other symptoms that to me pointed towards this.
addyguy: Not really much of a choice. It would be much more expensive to replace the car rather than fix it, xD
Mokanic: Yup I did notice that when looking at the pics.
Great pics. I just wanted to say I think it's great that you're doing this yourself!
I don't think I've been following well enough though and I apologize if you've already covered this, but what sparked this massive overhaul you've been doing?
Empty coolant resovoir. I had checked and topped it off about 2 weeks before, and a bunch of other symptoms that to me pointed towards this.
addyguy: Not really much of a choice. It would be much more expensive to replace the car rather than fix it, xD
Mokanic: Yup I did notice that when looking at the pics.
Looks like you needed the head gasket anyway, the pic of the exhaust manifold confirms it. Other than that the internals look very good, don't be surprised at the gunk found in the intake because that's what the EGR and PVC will do, but it doesn't hurt performance, clean it but don't loose sleep over it trying to keep it clean.
Also, I noticed you bought 3 gallons of full strenght G-05, that's 9 gallons of coolant mix
, your car probably hold no more that 2.
Also, I noticed you bought 3 gallons of full strenght G-05, that's 9 gallons of coolant mix
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Looks like you needed the head gasket anyway, the pic of the exhaust manifold confirms it. Other than that the internals look very good, don't be surprised at the gunk found in the intake because that's what the EGR and PVC will do, but it doesn't hurt performance, clean it but don't loose sleep over it trying to keep it clean.
Also, I noticed you bought 3 gallons of full strenght G-05, that's 9 gallons of coolant mix
, your car probably hold no more that 2.
I didn't buy it, my dad bought it, I realized that we have to return at least one jug because it isn't a 50/50 mix.
Looks like you needed the head gasket anyway, the pic of the exhaust manifold confirms it. Other than that the internals look very good, don't be surprised at the gunk found in the intake because that's what the EGR and PVC will do, but it doesn't hurt performance, clean it but don't loose sleep over it trying to keep it clean.
Also, I noticed you bought 3 gallons of full strenght G-05, that's 9 gallons of coolant mix
I didn't buy it, my dad bought it, I realized that we have to return at least one jug because it isn't a 50/50 mix.
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Also, I noticed you bought 3 gallons of full strenght G-05, that's 9 gallons of coolant mix
, your car probably hold no more that 2.
Check your math.
I'm kind of a nut but after major engine surgery I like to fill them up with straight water, then if there's a leak or something I can fix it without it spraying the engine compartment with something that gets smelly when hot. And if I wrecked the engine at least I'm not out $10 for coolant.
Also, I noticed you bought 3 gallons of full strenght G-05, that's 9 gallons of coolant mix
Check your math.
I'm kind of a nut but after major engine surgery I like to fill them up with straight water, then if there's a leak or something I can fix it without it spraying the engine compartment with something that gets smelly when hot. And if I wrecked the engine at least I'm not out $10 for coolant.
Consider cleaning out the bolt holes with a bottoming tap, and blowing them out with air.
And get some cheap oil for the short OCIs you'll need to gt crud and coolant out of the oil. Also, your coolant will most likely get oil and crud contaminated. Maybe an initial fill of only water for a few days to flush things out.
And get some cheap oil for the short OCIs you'll need to gt crud and coolant out of the oil. Also, your coolant will most likely get oil and crud contaminated. Maybe an initial fill of only water for a few days to flush things out.
Yeah it does look like the #3 cylinder was drawing coolant. At first I was thinking that maybe there was no head gasket leak and maybe it was just the water pump. The bottom of the head gasket around that cylinder looks like it may have been giving away. It's hard to tell from the pics though. I would want to lay a good straight edge across the head and even the block just to be sure.
I added 2 oz of PAG 150 to the compressor crankcase, via a syringe, which allowed me to not have to drop it (woohoo). Pretty much almost completely reassembled. Have to put the pushrods/rockers back on, bolt the valvecover back on, put the belt back on the alternator, change the fuel filter, change the oil, add a quart or 2 of ATF to the transmission (lost quite a bit when the fill tube came out of the transmission), change the oil, and then I'm done. (Minus getting it recharged of course), and then changing the oil again and it's done. Oh yes, and flush the cooling system with water, before adding a 50/50 mix of G-05 and water.
Oh and I ended up replacing the idler/tensioner pulley with a NAPA part. Made in canada, but made in china bearing (what a surprise =P).
Edit: Oh yes, hair smelling like Dex-cool ftw xD
Edit edit: Oh, and if you thought gear oil smelled bad, then you haven't smelled used compressor oil. GAG.
Oh and I ended up replacing the idler/tensioner pulley with a NAPA part. Made in canada, but made in china bearing (what a surprise =P).
Edit: Oh yes, hair smelling like Dex-cool ftw xD
Edit edit: Oh, and if you thought gear oil smelled bad, then you haven't smelled used compressor oil. GAG.
ALMOST DONE. It is completely re-assembled. Just need to change the oil, flush the cooling system with water, then refill with a 50/50 mix of Distilled water and the G-05. Then if it runs, drive it for a bit, and then get the A/C vacuumed and recharged. Almost in the clear! =D
Awesome job Nic! Hope it fires right up for you.
Well don't take it as an inspiration for much longer. I've had it, I'm ready to just throw this thing out and replace it. It was all together, and we were going to flush the cooling system. It started fine (with no coolant. Backed it out of the garage into the driveway- all peachy. changed oil. Move into grass. Added plain water, and ran for a few minutes. Then it started. The little "manifold" type thing on the driver side where the cooling lines and-something (black canister about the size of a soda can, with a computer connector on top sits on it) started gushing water out the backside. Thought oh, that's odd. Pulled it off. We had forgotten to take the old gasket off. No problem. Found what we THOUGHT to be an extra gasket. It was an exact fit- only not till later did we discover that it was identical in size and bolt holes- but interior divisions were completely different.
Anyway, replaced with the "Extra" gasket, tried to start, ran horrible. barely started with foot on floor, stalled out. Tried to figure it out. Pulled the spark plugs, had dad turn the key while standing in front of it (not good idea btw) and instantly got a jet of water blasted directly in my face. Yup, hydro-locked for sure. Pulled the thing off AGAIN, and replaced with the original "new" gasket, hoping it would be fine.
Well, it starts and runs better, will actually start and idle on it's own, but there is white "smoke/steam" out the exhaust, it smells funky, too. Idles really bad, sounds like sloshing inside. Oh, and it's leaking from the exact same spot where it was to begin with. This was the point at which I called it quits for today. I'm hoping that the head isn't cracked/blew the headgasket AGAIN, because if it did, I will probably just say screw it and junk the thing, return the A/C compressor for a refund.
Something is screwed up again, because it was just fine till we added plain water and ran it. Then it just went to [censored].
Anyway, replaced with the "Extra" gasket, tried to start, ran horrible. barely started with foot on floor, stalled out. Tried to figure it out. Pulled the spark plugs, had dad turn the key while standing in front of it (not good idea btw) and instantly got a jet of water blasted directly in my face. Yup, hydro-locked for sure. Pulled the thing off AGAIN, and replaced with the original "new" gasket, hoping it would be fine.
Well, it starts and runs better, will actually start and idle on it's own, but there is white "smoke/steam" out the exhaust, it smells funky, too. Idles really bad, sounds like sloshing inside. Oh, and it's leaking from the exact same spot where it was to begin with. This was the point at which I called it quits for today. I'm hoping that the head isn't cracked/blew the headgasket AGAIN, because if it did, I will probably just say screw it and junk the thing, return the A/C compressor for a refund.
Something is screwed up again, because it was just fine till we added plain water and ran it. Then it just went to [censored].
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Originally Posted By: silverrat
You should fix whatever problem you have now and stop tinkering with the car after that.
How many oil changes have you done on this car already? 4 in the past 10,000 miles?
At least. I'm not tinkering, I'm trying to make the [censored] thing driveable. Headgasket needed replaced. So replaced. This is still the process of finishing that.
You should fix whatever problem you have now and stop tinkering with the car after that.
How many oil changes have you done on this car already? 4 in the past 10,000 miles?
At least. I'm not tinkering, I'm trying to make the [censored] thing driveable. Headgasket needed replaced. So replaced. This is still the process of finishing that.
Any update on the engine?Chance of a crack in manifold?
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