Head Gasket problem

[Proman]

Hey guys, i was just wondering if anyone could help me out on how to change a head gasket on a 96 Vs commodore, Maybe someone knows a link for instructions or something???
Cheers.

[acarmody]

Ecotec? .

[Proman]

yeah ecotec

[maldotcom2]

Get a gregories workshop manual mate. Best $50 i ever spent.

[Proman]

yeah true, cheers guys

[acarmody]

Basically it goes, move plenum chamber, remove intake manifold, remove rocker and pushrods, remove exhaust manifold and then remove the head bolts.

[0081]

Basically it goes, move plenum chamber, remove intake manifold, remove rocker and pushrods, remove exhaust manifold and then remove the head bolts.

I would be draining the cooling system first.

[Ace_VP]

Invest in a good quality toque wrench to.

Invest in the manual as stated above and take your time, take photos as you go if you need to, they can be handy to refer back to if you forget what goes where etc.

[Proman]

Also just quickly, the fuel hoses, whats the easiest way to get them off without buying a special tool???

[acarmody]

Get a pen lid, cut ends off, slice lengthways so you can fit over pipe, then push up into clip with jiggling/twisting it, and pull hoses apart

[Proman]

Cheers Mate.

[VR_Acclaim]

when you buy ur head gasket the torque settings and the order which u bolt the heads up are on there u undo them the same order...they maybe multi stage torque setting follow the instruction to a t

[0081]

Also just quickly, the fuel hoses, whats the easiest way to get them off without buying a special tool???

You wont need to take the fule hoses off it can just leave them bolted to the intake and move the whole part to the side

[ari666]

without buying a special tool???

special tool, being a rag? undo hose clamps, wrap rag over hose. twist hose with hand till it cracks, then wriggle a few more times, then pull.

job done.

[stickym]

mate most fuel injection cars don't run hose clamps as such , but a special fitting where is slides over a step on the pipe but once over it cant be pulled back off with out the tabs being manipulated so they clear the step on the pipe to be able to be removed , and yes there is a special tool. but its pretty basic

cheers

[Proman]

Well i got all the head bolts of the left hand cylinder block, One of the bolt holes starting pissin out water only one but, the rest were fine, Does it sound like only a cracked head gasket?? hopefully.... and not a cracked block? i read that the ecotechs are cast iron and so it should be pretty strong... i dunno i guess im just going to have to pull it apart to inspect visually

[maldotcom2]

It's normal for head bolt holes to leak water or oil when removed, it doesn't reflect the condition of the parts.

[ari666]

the thread goes into your water gallery, take out the bolt and water follows. just remember to use genuine GMH thread sealer when you do the bolts back up.

[Proman]

does about 30$ for a set of the stretch head bolts for the Vs sound right, i went to car bitz and repco yesterday and they quoted me over 100$, So i rang a local seller this morning and he said 30$ brand new on special....... i dont get it

[Ace_VP]

Go to holden and see if you can buy genuine if you can. As with most things there are cheaper alternatives. You want good quality head bolts made from good quality steel, if they are crap they wont torque down correctly and you will have head gasket problems. There is the possibility that repco etc are ripping you off, check the brand of the bolts from repco and compare them to the ones from the cheap place.

[Proman]

Besides scraping old gasket off and cleaning the head surface...... when you have the heads off is it safe to thoroughly spray carby/degreaser cleaner "everywhere" to clean all passages...."on the heads that is" then wash with water and blow out with compressed air...... i just don't want to damage anything in the heads that's all, Cheers P.s Thanks heaps to everyone's feedback

[Proman]

Any ideas?