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Thanksgiving head gasket job....
So I decided to take this chance to redo my head gasket. This is my 2nd time HG job. First time was with a mechanic friend and I didn't resurface the head. This time, I read tons of discussions here and I think I'm better prepared this time.
So far about 4-5 hours into the job, mostly disassembly things and labelled lines, hoses etc. For most part not too bad. Only I didn't realize the PS pump bracket is bolted onto the head and the block.
Waiting for my son to help so we can lift the head out (with intake manifold still attached, exhaust manifold out already). Last time we disconnected both the intake and exhaust manifolds and it was a pain in the butt to reinstall intake side under bolts due to literally no room to access.
I did break one thing though - the little tiny red hose between charcoal canister and the throttle body. I will temporary put a vacuum hose in place and will change to fuel line later.
Next is when the head is out to check for flatness......
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Thanks for posting the pictures, we all appreciate seeing this kind of thing. Good quality.
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Good luck with your project. Keep us posted on your progress.
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Looks like propre cleaning and preparation is they key to success. There was a bit of crud there and it could have lead the the gasket failure indeed.
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
carotman
Looks like propre cleaning and preparation is they key to success. There was a bit of crud there and it could have lead the the gasket failure indeed.
Yup that's what I'm thinking - Prep and cleaning to the best I can. The previous gasket was certainly made from cheap material. It disintegrated and stuck onto head and block, rings were deformed. I hope the Fel-pro is much better (as many said).
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Couple of hours later....
I continue with the job. I decided to try 500 grit sandpaper to take off the remaining gasket material on the head by hand (I know but I do it very lightly, slowly and carefully and I think the 500 grit is fine enough). After most of the old gasket is gone, I sprayed it with brake cleaner and decarbonized the head (top combustion chamber where the valves and spark plugs are located).
I am happy with the removal of the old gasket material but I also noticed some corrosion on the aluminum head (see pics). They are overall flat (head is flat) but I am not sure if this is good enough to get the Felpro HG on. When I ran my finger over them, I do feel them but with a straight edge and feeler gauge, it is flat. I read somewhere on the internet that a gasket is supposed to deal with some small imperfection (otherwise we don't need a gasket).
If I need the head resurfacing, I have 2 choices. 1 - Take to a machine shop. 2- DIY on flat glass with 120 grit sandpaper (which I do have both).
What ya'll think ?
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Hard to really be 100% sure with pictures but the corrosion seems to be OK. The head gasket will deal with it.
FYI, the 2 little "dots" on the exhaust side of the head in each corner and the maximum tolerance allowed when milling the head, if you ever go that route. It's clearly visible on the bottom left corner of picture #2
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Thanks for checking my pics. I am also thinking I would not need head resurfacing. From the internet, people been using JB weld to fill the pits on the head/block. I'm thinking going that route since I would only need a little JB to fill and it is easy to do. I think the block is worse than the head since there are some areas on the block that "pitted" probably due to rust. I got them sand flat but I think if I can fill them with little bit of JB, it will be a better mating surface.
I sure know the two "dots" are the max tolerance to shave the head.
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Continuing today detailing work...
So I got some JB weld and continued the work today. Basically, detailing the contact surfaces.
As I suspected, the head corrosion is minimal. Putting JB weld on it is really not needed. I put JB weld and spread it with a razor blade on the head and it barely fill any pits (see pics).
The block is a little more involved. The corrosion around cylinder 4 appears more compare to other cylinders. So I hand sanded it with frequent checks with straight edge/feeler gauge and I stopped when I feel the 0.0016" gauge started to be able to slide under the straight edge. To the left of cylinder 1 (the coolant area near the timing belt tensioner), the pit was most noticeable. So I cleaned it real well and put JB weld on it to fill the pit. I alsp put some JB welds around the front edge of cylinder 1.
Now the JB fillers are waiting to be cured......
I went ahead the clean the intake manifold. Engine degreaser didn't do much in getting the deposit off but I did the best I could.... I also prep the mating surfaces of the intake and exhaust on the head...
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
I'd be worried about the JB weld not holding the heat. I'm sure the head gasket could have compensated for the pitting but there was sure one problematic area. The worst thing that could happen is another blown gasket so it's not too much of a big deal. If it does hold up, that would be really nice!
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
I did google about this JB weld repair. People also talked about thinking it may not hold up. But then many also said their repair holding up for years. I saw an youtube video someone cut a slit on a lawn mower head and repair it with JB to prove it will work but I think its extreme.
My estimate pit depth at cylinder 4's exhaust side edge was probably about 0.0016 (the 0.0016 feeler gauge did slide under flat edge). The coolant passage pit between cyl 1 and timing belt tensioner was probably 2 thous so I made a decision call to use JB to fill them in for a flat surface.
I will put things back together and keeping my fingers crosses....... I haven't done this job solo so I'm taking my time and think twice or even three times on everything.....Wish me luck....
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
The MLS head gasket should cover most of that that is what they are designed for.
Looking at your coolant passages remember dont use Florida tap water in any car the limestone will eat up aluminum headed motor. Distilled water or RO water all the time.
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oldblueaccord
The MLS head gasket should cover most of that that is what they are designed for.
Looking at your coolant passages remember dont use Florida tap water in any car the limestone will eat up aluminum headed motor. Distilled water or RO water all the time.
I don't think they make a MLS for our car. I thought it was a MLS gasket but it isn't. Yeah and I always use distilled water.
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Nice work! I find a locking chain wrench is really helpful for getting the cam nut off, whenever you're ready to revisit that.
Also, very cool thermo sensor fix!
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Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
I put some quick set JB weld to the plug to seal it. I used the quick set because I don't want the epoxy to flow down when it is too liquid. The quick set let me have 5-10 mins to mess around with it before it harden so it works perfectly.
Drove the car more yesterday and definitely the "old feel" (the fun) is back. Still get some engine shake at around 2000 rpm (the rumbling type shake) but its a lot less. I also smell exhaust when when I have fresh air mode. Except the gasket between the head and the exhaust manifold, I did not change any other exhaust gasket. I should have thought about it since now the EGR is hard to get off. The EGR pipe gasket is discontinued and probably have to custom cut a gasket. The metal gasket ring at the junction of exhaust manifold and first section of the down pipe was not changed either. Not sure what is the best way to troubleshoot exhaust leak - a smoke source around the gasket / junctions / fittings ?
How do you get the EGR off without taking off fuel rail and those little vacuum junction metal pipes ?
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
You can get the rubber plug that goes there from suppliers on the web.
https://www.corsa-technic.com/item.p..._id=779&page=5
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
I would have squirted it full of RTV, but that's hillbilly. LOL
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dr_Snooz
I would have squirted it full of RTV, but that's hillbilly. LOL
The other plug I repaired (to the left), I put blue RTV on as you can see. But I ran out this time so I used JB...
Re: Thanksgiving head gasket job....
Uh...
What I meant to say was "I would have squirted it full of RTV, because that's GENIUS!!!"
Yeah. That's it. That's what I meant to say.