MLS Head Gasket

[02HtownSubie]

Has anyone in here ever use a Graphite head gasket on 2g 4G63T? If so how are they?

 

[EDM95]

Well my engine has been smokeing and leaking oil
and I smell a sweet smell, so is it safe to say my head gasket is blown.
How hard is it to replace the gasket and how should I go about replaceing it myself?
This will be the first time I have done this but it never hurts to learn.
Is there anything else I need to get besides the head gasket?

 

[420aNEWB]

yes u need valve seals too maybe its not the head gasket try searching the color of smoke ## engine does and go from there.

 

[totaleclipse_05]

yes u need valve seals too maybe its not the head gasket try searching the color of smoke ## engine does and go from there.

Even if it turns out to be valve seals, the head would probably have to come off anyways. Anytime I have pulled a head off a car I've worked on, I've always replaced the valve seals just for piece of mind. They aren't expensive so it's a worthwhile thing to do while the head is off.

 

[adammethner05]

Since you're gonna be tearing the head off, you might as well replace the timing belt/tensioner if it hasn't already been done. Better safe than sorry...Also, you'd have to purchase a top end gasket kit, which includes the head/intake/exhaust etc. gaskets, as well as a set of valve seals. These gasket sets can be found for around $100 dollars give or take 10 or 20 depending or where you buy it from.

EDIT: Also, buy a Hayne's manual if you don't already own one. It will help you a ton, and explains the procedure step by step.

 

[EDM95]

Hey thanks guy, I guess you are right might as well do it right the first time.
I own a hayne's manual so I will just do as the steps say.
So all I need is a top end gasket kit?

 

[adammethner05]

Yes, unless you're doing the timing belt/tensioner then you'd need those too of course. I'm pretty sure I had to buy gasket sealer when I did the headgasket on my Talon, but it was 2 years ago so I can't even remember what gaskets I had to use it for .

OH! You'll need to buy/make a special tool that keeps the cam gears from spinning so you can torque them down tight enough. I just had a buddy jam a screwdriver in there so they wouldn't turn while I tightened them, but I must not have tightened one of them all the way because the dowel pin broke off the cam and I ended up bending valves yada yada so I had to start all over again by tearing the head off. Not saying this will happen to you, but whether you buy/make a tool or just use a screwdriver, make sure you tighten the cam gears to spec, so you don't end up like I did.

 

[EDM95]

I will be sure to keep that in mind.
I don't think I want to do the work twice.
Oh I think I could rent that tool from a parts store.

 

[adammethner05]

I'm not sure about renting one from a parts store, but I'm sure a local shop might have one you could use if you know the guys that work there. Like I said I didn't have one when I did my headgasket, and honestly I don't know if there's different kinds of them or what. I found a "universal" one online for you here, but I'm not sure it will work. You know how most "universal" tools are...

EDIT: This site riiiight....HERE, has a little better description/picture of how the universal tool I found for you works.

 

[EDM95]

Oh ok now I know what you are talking about.
I guess I will see if they got one, or if not I will do what you did.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Don't wedge anything between the cam gear spokes... There's a hole on each camshaft near the passenger's side of the head. If you have a 1/4" drive socket extension, you can insert that in the hole on each camshaft to prevent them from rotating while tightening the cam gear bolts.

 

[totaleclipse_05]

Don't wedge anything between the cam gear spokes... There's a hole on each camshaft near the passenger's side of the head. If you have a 1/4" drive socket extension, you can insert that in the hole on each camshaft to prevent them from rotating while tightening the cam gear bolts.

I busted a 1/4" extension trying that, Craftsment though so I got a free replacement.

I used a big jaw pliers to grip the cam gear teeth and tighted the bolts that way. Worked just fine.

 

[rstare]

I wouldnt wedge a 1/4" extension, 3/8" or 1/2" is what you want to use if your going that route. I would say just get the tool. Its easy, and you can rent one or buy one from autozone.
I just had the head off twice in the past 2 weeks, so if you need some help let me know.

 

[cs82685]

OP, these two sites will help tremendously and will have all the info you need to do both the timing and the head gasket change

http://www.2gnt.com/www/corbin/rebuild.html

2GNT.com - Timing_Belt_Replacement

And the Factory Service Manual for good measure:

http://az2gnt.net/FSM/2gnt_420a_overhaul.pdf

I used a big jaw pliers to grip the cam gear teeth and tighted the bolts that way. Worked just fine.

I did something similar, used a small pair of pliers and held the cam gears against each other (grabbing the inside of the gears instead of risking ruining the teeth on the gear)

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I wouldnt wedge a 1/4" extension, 3/8" or 1/2" is what you want to use if your going that route. I would say just get the tool. Its easy, and you can rent one or buy one from autozone.
I just had the head off twice in the past 2 weeks, so if you need some help let me know.

3/8" and 1/2" extensions would be much too large. I've used this method many times and have never had a problem. Mike, perhaps you overtightened the bolts? They're only supposed to be torqued to 105ft-lb if I remember correctly...

 

[rstare]

3/8" and 1/2" extensions would be much too large. I've used this method many times and have never had a problem. Mike, perhaps you overtightened the bolts? They're only supposed to be torqued to 105ft-lb if I remember correctly...

Sorry Paul, I just threw that out there cause I broke a 1/4" extension before so I could see it happening. I dont know exactly what hole your referring to, sorry.
Let me pull up the Chiltons on my computer.....
75 ft lbs for the camshaft sproket.
I broke a 1/4" extension with around 60 ft lbs... so its possible, it was a old one though...

Edit: Im looking at the cam gear and Im still not sure what hole your talking about.
Edit 2: I see it now, ya 3/8" is going to be too big, sorry bout that guys, look before I speak...

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Yeah, it's on the camshaft itself, not the gear. 105ft-lb must be for the crankshaft pulley bolt, then.

 

[EDM95]

Thanks for all the info guys,
I think i am way in over my head.
Oh well got to learn some how right?

 

[totaleclipse_05]

3/8" and 1/2" extensions would be much too large. I've used this method many times and have never had a problem. Mike, perhaps you overtightened the bolts? They're only supposed to be torqued to 105ft-lb if I remember correctly...

Was attempting to loosen the cam gear bolt, not tighten it. Tightened that tight from the factory.

 

[cs82685]

Thanks for all the info guys,
I think i am way in over my head.
Oh well got to learn some how right?

Take it a step at a time, it's overwhelming at first, but you can do it. I followed those links provided and was able to fix my timing and my oil leak which were both problems caused by a so-called "mechanic"

 

[EDM95]

I was talking to this mechanic at work,
I was like my engine is leaking oil and I see white smoke.
He told me that I might have a cracked block or it is warped.
So how would I know?

 

[adammethner05]

Did he say the head could be cracked/warped or the block itself? I had a valve job done to my head while it was off during my headgasket issue, and they also tested it for cracks/warping.

Did your car majorly overheat at some point before you started seeing all the smoke? This could be what caused the headgasket problem, and if so, you should definitely have the head checked.

 

[EDM95]

Yea to both, the engine was hot as heck
but the temp gauge showed the temp was ok.
So I dont know yet.

 

[rstare]

I would assume it didn't overheat if your gauge was reading normal. An engine always gets "hot as heck".
Did it start smoking on this occurance you describe as "hot as heck"?

But I doubt that your block is cracked.
I would say get the head off and go from there.

 

[EDM95]

Well ok I will take off the head first then,
and take a pic of what it looks like.