| Author |
Message |
    
andy Coleman (Andy99)
| | Posted on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 03:45 pm: | 
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I have been told by a compression test that I am leaking coolant into the engine a bit and that I should replace my head gaskets. I am pretty handy with a car, but without the $120+ shop manual, Im not sure I can do a head gasket replacement. Has anyone done this job before? Is it difficult? Any hints/tips? Thanks |
Paul T. Schram (Paulschram)
| | Posted on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 03:52 pm: |
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Andy:
If you have coolant in the oil, immediately dump the oil/coolant. The glycol in the coolant does very bad things to the bearings.
If you have done any major surgery on a car, this will be an easy job. The hard parts are getting the head bolts out, sometimes, they are tremendously tight. Otherwise, it isn't that bad of a job. Time consuming-I don't know how LR thinks it can be done in 7.1 hours!
If you do it yourself, figure on spending about $500 and three days of steady work. The $500 includes machine work to have the heads resurfaced and the valves ground.
Good luck, mine seems to be taking forever and trying my patience and affection for Land Rovers.
Peace,
Paul |
Ron
| | Posted on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 07:28 pm: |
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I would not machine the heads unless they are warped. just check them with a strait edge. Clean out the valves and lap them back in. Parts at retail are only about $300 for head bolts, gasket set (do not go aftermarket) adn intake bolts should be done too.
Secondary air makes it harder. I would budget a weekend.
Ron |
andy Coleman (Andy99)
| | Posted on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 08:28 pm: |
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Any other opinions about having the heads machined? I just ordered the very expensive Land Rover Manual, that for the price, better do half the repair for me!As far as I know, the coolant is mixing with gas, how could I tell if it is mixing with the oil? |
Pugsly (Pugsly)
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 01:38 am: |
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If you have a good head shop, just let them do what needs to be done. They will check the heads, and do what needs to be done.
It took me about a week to do my heads - took them off one weekend, then at the head shop for ~ 3 days (had to replace springs and a burned exhaust valve) and a day to re-assemble.
If I knew what I was doing, it would take less time I'm sure.
Ron is right - make sure you use new head bolts, they are one time use. Chase all the threads and use anti-seize! |
Bill Bettridge (Billb)
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 08:22 am: |
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Andy - hope you didn't pay $120 for a workshop manual!
http://www.4by4connection.com/landrover2.html
Also check out factory engine overhaul manual at the same time - it may help you if you haven't done this kind of work before.
Finally - you didn't say what kind of mileage you had, but personally I'd get the heads rebuilt as per Paul's note above. Well worth it if you have some miles and maybe even if you don't and you have bad carbon fouling on the valves.
Bill |
Scott Tschantz (Scott)
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 24, 2002 - 02:24 pm: |
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Bill thanks for the link you saved me some $$ I am going to purchace one |
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