Hello Discoweb,
I would first like to thank everyone who has posted information about their head gasket adventures in the past, and the In Search of the Experience DVD for getting me to just stop looking at it and start pulling stuff off. For the people that will invariably find this post in a future search- Just do it. If you have basic tools and a place to park it and work, it is a great way to learn your truck and gain confidence in its condition (or a realistic view of its needs)
General Advice-
The take apart went very well. I would like to add that you should look out for the grounding strap on the drivers side head. It is on the back closest to the firewall and I wasn't going step by step through RAVE... so it took a few minutes to figure out what was holding me back.
The fuel connection on the intake manifold is back in the very back/middle. I was also no looking for that one and broke the connector. Not a HUGE deal- but it's a part I shouldn't have had to buy. Boo spending money.
I would like some insight as to what you knowledgable gentlemen think was causing my rapid loss of coolant. My symptoms prior to the decision to rebuild was...
1) over the last 8 months I have had to top off my coolant in the expansion tank. I would end up an inch under every so often
2) there was a rushing water/gurgling sound that I thought was air in the lines... I follow the burping process and it had gone away (might be relevant)
3) on a trip home from a weekend at the hunting camp ~200 miles (@75mph) I got an engine temperature spike as I pulled into my garage... it was on no more than 15 seconds and I killed it. I was so low on coolant that I added a full gallon... but stopped driving it.
4) took a nice and easy drive over to a friends house and really took a good look at it. Found a trickle coming from the passenger side back corner of the cylinder head. A nice steady drip.
So I thought that was all the issue I had.. and it might be... But check out these pictures and tell me what you think.
Both heads are shown. The ones with the finger in the pointing gesture are the Drivers Side. Also note the carbonization on the piston heads on 8, 2, 7, 1. It looks like they have all had moisture in them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adventuretime/sets/72157624340633134/
Lastly- When I took off the heads it looked to my buddy that coolant came out of the intake runner (the air channels) Ask if that is unclear... I didn't know to look. But this caused him some concern.
As of now I am having the heads dipped, decked, and having a valve job done. I am also going to change the timing chain and gear. Thermostat, spark plugs, are also being done. I dont think there is anything wrong with the water pump- so I just changing the gasket on that along with the front main seal.
Long post- Anything you can add will be helpful. All of your posts are such a help when you are bustin knuckles in the garage and come to a shaky point.
Thanks,
Houston
I would first like to thank everyone who has posted information about their head gasket adventures in the past, and the In Search of the Experience DVD for getting me to just stop looking at it and start pulling stuff off. For the people that will invariably find this post in a future search- Just do it. If you have basic tools and a place to park it and work, it is a great way to learn your truck and gain confidence in its condition (or a realistic view of its needs)
General Advice-
The take apart went very well. I would like to add that you should look out for the grounding strap on the drivers side head. It is on the back closest to the firewall and I wasn't going step by step through RAVE... so it took a few minutes to figure out what was holding me back.
The fuel connection on the intake manifold is back in the very back/middle. I was also no looking for that one and broke the connector. Not a HUGE deal- but it's a part I shouldn't have had to buy. Boo spending money.
I would like some insight as to what you knowledgable gentlemen think was causing my rapid loss of coolant. My symptoms prior to the decision to rebuild was...
1) over the last 8 months I have had to top off my coolant in the expansion tank. I would end up an inch under every so often
2) there was a rushing water/gurgling sound that I thought was air in the lines... I follow the burping process and it had gone away (might be relevant)
3) on a trip home from a weekend at the hunting camp ~200 miles (@75mph) I got an engine temperature spike as I pulled into my garage... it was on no more than 15 seconds and I killed it. I was so low on coolant that I added a full gallon... but stopped driving it.
4) took a nice and easy drive over to a friends house and really took a good look at it. Found a trickle coming from the passenger side back corner of the cylinder head. A nice steady drip.
So I thought that was all the issue I had.. and it might be... But check out these pictures and tell me what you think.
Both heads are shown. The ones with the finger in the pointing gesture are the Drivers Side. Also note the carbonization on the piston heads on 8, 2, 7, 1. It looks like they have all had moisture in them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adventuretime/sets/72157624340633134/
Lastly- When I took off the heads it looked to my buddy that coolant came out of the intake runner (the air channels) Ask if that is unclear... I didn't know to look. But this caused him some concern.
As of now I am having the heads dipped, decked, and having a valve job done. I am also going to change the timing chain and gear. Thermostat, spark plugs, are also being done. I dont think there is anything wrong with the water pump- so I just changing the gasket on that along with the front main seal.
Long post- Anything you can add will be helpful. All of your posts are such a help when you are bustin knuckles in the garage and come to a shaky point.
Thanks,
Houston
