Can i change a head gasket in a day?

[peanut_finger]

Okay here it goes. I have had a intermitent overheating problem in my VT V6. I have draned and flushed radiators and stuffed around with numerous other things but it will still over heat at inconsisent times. A friend of mine says he had the same problem and it was a head gasket. She has been using a bit more water than usual and has developed a bit of a hesitent miss at times.

Can anyone suggest if I can change the head gasket with minimal mechanical experience. What sort fo time frame am i looing at to do this?

I have one of those gregorys manuals that explains it, but i dont want to get myself in a mess over the weekend without any transport.

[VN_Luke]

The reality is - things can and will go wrong.

If you've never done such an operation, it's best to give yourself a few days 'error buffer' after you start the operation.

you'll need more specialized tools like a torque wrench, for example.

if you follow the gregory's book closely, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to do it - but allow for stuff ups, breakages, etc. (so don't expect to have it ready by monday ) - specially cause you can't buy parts on a sunday afternoon!


anyway - before you rip the heads off - go visit a mechanic and see if they can diagnose it for sure - it could be something as simple as a heater tap leaking - and the miss could be unrelated.

does your oil look like custard?
do you get steam out the exhaust when car is warm?

[vt s]

When you say minimal mechanical experience how much exactly?..
Agree with luke, dont start ripping the head off until you know for sure its ahead gasket. Have you checked your oil? If its head gasket the oil will be a milky colour, also try this.. when the engine is cold take the radiator cap off and start the car and post your results.. Or just take it to a mechanic and see if they can check it out for you.

[-Michael-]

Check your heater tap first

[minitsbay]

i have same problem mine isnt heads its intake maniold gasket

[azkwazere]

i have same problem mine isnt heads its intake maniold gasket

i was about to add this, its usally this first... commonly confused

aZk.

[vxcalais_01]

Took me a day for intake manifold. Remember oil changes and coolant changes take a bit as well.

You cannot do it properly in just a day. What if you need to deck the heads etc ? Gotta clean up the block properly etc.

[Paiste402]

when i did my head gaskets on my old VC i thought it would take too long, then i found that the cylinders need cleaning, then i learnt how much scraping is needed to get all the old gaskets off (ALL OF IT), found out my lifters were shagged and needed new ones, found a bent push rod and had to clean the others ect ect ect ect.

Dont rush it, get the gregories book and take ur time, have all ur tools ready and have a big clean table to sit all the rockers and pushrods in so they stay in the correct order. You will know so much more about ur motor afterwards lol!

Best of luck mate

[mitmit]

i am having same problem too,

my car just broke down and my radiator was empty

so i refilled it again rying to drive the car home untill the engine is having knock sound now

then today i start pull things apart

open the inlet manifold and found the coolant inside mixed with oil

so pls guys i need help too

is my car problem worse about the knocking sound? need help pls

[VTS5]

mitmit ; You shouldnt pull anything out b4 testing few items ;

Water pump efficiency, thermostat operation ,radiator leakage ,cooling sys. pressure test and finally compression test.

The water u've just seen (after taking the inlet man out) came from the manifold ,cause u've tilt it whiletaking it out ,oh if its green wouldnt worry about it too much,but if its caramel brown ,yeah go and replace whatever.you fancy.

Knocking noise is very common for these engines.There is no quick fix.put up or spend $$$.

[vtmomentum]

peanut i had the same issue car would heat up rapidaly from normal temp to hot and hot light flashing in about 3-4 seconds it would sit on hot for 30 sec or so then it would cool down to normal in about 3-4 seconds it was my thermostat i replaced it and it was fine after that give your cooling system a good flush as well if it hasent been done for a while thermo about 20 dollars worth a try b4 go ripping engine apart

[Choppersilver]

hey there,

I got oil in my water... brown oily gunk.

can only come from one place.... right?

these are famous for requiring head gasgets.... I went to turners auctions a while ago looking for ex police vt sedan and found two... they both had combustion gasses in the radiator at an estimated cost of about nzd2000 to repair, they both sold for over nzd8000 which I didnt purchase.

did they fix it with the VY?

[Simonn]

do you know if its a stuffed head gasket or and inlet manifold gasket? I'v been told its rare for headgaskets to go on ecotecs and will more likely be a inlet manifold gasket. No real easy was to tell them apart untill you take things apart.

[vxcalais_01]

THese engines have some of the least head gasket occurrences out there, the GM Graphite gaskets are that good that mechanics rarely believe it, and reputable engine performance engine builders preferring them over the rest, such as Sams Performance.

A pity they couldnt follow up with the intake manifold gasket as they are probably the worst ever put on a car, in Series 1 and 2 v6 engines. It cost them heaps in the U.S over the years, but probably made heaps back with their replacement gaskets. DO the intake gasket first, you will see if it is that or not when you remove it, if its fine, then your only 16 bolts away from taking off the head (must remove rocker gear).

[Lewie]

I had a similar problem in my 98 VT. I found it to be a sticky thermostat.