Well, the head gasket on my 1998 1.6 petrol engine has gone kaput. (Overheating a bit, but no coolant loss, then last week: ZOOM overheated to the top, I pull over, no coolant; I add coolant and 8 KM later, its gone. Sure enough, mayo in the oil filler neck (although not a lot.) No sign of other external leakage, but fresh coolant--what's left of it...-- now brown.) Since I've been out of work for over 9 months, I'm considering trying this myself. (Have done DIY brakes, shocks, various sensors and regular maintenance items, but never an engine head overhaul.)
So 5 questions:
1. Does ANYBODY have a step-by-step guide, pdf or otherwise on exactly how I do this? (I checked Haynes but it's really not specific enough for this procedure.)
2. Can a person use hi-temp/copper Forms-A-Gasket for the head? Or must one use the OEM gasket? (I presume the latter.)
3. My supplier has a kit with a whole bunch of gaskets in it for my engine. Are there other gaskets/seals I will need to change BESIDES the head gasket itself? If so, what are they and how accessible or non-accessible are they?
4. Besides a torque wrench and crafting a tool to lock the timing sprockets, are there other specialized tools I would need?
Am I crazy to try to do this myself? The garages here want about $1,000 US, but seem reluctant and want to sell me on a complete re-built engine swap instead. Any pointing in the right direction greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
--Jeff
So 5 questions:
1. Does ANYBODY have a step-by-step guide, pdf or otherwise on exactly how I do this? (I checked Haynes but it's really not specific enough for this procedure.)
2. Can a person use hi-temp/copper Forms-A-Gasket for the head? Or must one use the OEM gasket? (I presume the latter.)
3. My supplier has a kit with a whole bunch of gaskets in it for my engine. Are there other gaskets/seals I will need to change BESIDES the head gasket itself? If so, what are they and how accessible or non-accessible are they?
4. Besides a torque wrench and crafting a tool to lock the timing sprockets, are there other specialized tools I would need?
Am I crazy to try to do this myself? The garages here want about $1,000 US, but seem reluctant and want to sell me on a complete re-built engine swap instead. Any pointing in the right direction greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
--Jeff