Changing the 420A headgasket myself?

[CopperEclipse96]

I am leaking from the back right corner, and I want to get all my problems fixed before I go turbo. How hard of a job is this? It doesnt seem like it would be too difficult, and I can't justify paying somebody else $1000 to do it. For those who have done it, what tools did you use, how much prior experience did you have, and how long did it take? On a scale of 1-10, how hard did you think it was (10 being the hardest)? Thanks!

 

[siueclipse]

If you have never done it.. Its going to be dificult.. Keep in mind you are going to have to reset your timing.. and thats a bi***. If you change the head gasket, make sure you get the multi layered steel head gasket and you will also have to buy new head bolts.

 

[dsmrunnah95]

$1000, who are you getting to do it ?!? Mitsubishi dealership did mine for $235, you're getting gipped.

 

[CopperEclipse96]

I have just heard other people getting quoted that from satan. either way, I would like to do it myself, to save money, and to learn a thing or two.

 

[Kirby]

How many miles are on your car? There is a technical service bullitan about the HG's on these cars. If you are in the right mileage window, they may do it for free. If I were you I would call mitsu cust. service and talk to them if it's an eclipse, or chrysler if it's a talon. It may not be free, but it may still be only $50, well worth not doing it IMO. The job is not that hard, but it will take time. The timing can be a bi***, but it's never taken me more than twice to get it right. As far as tools, all you'll need are basic socketts breaker bars, and a TQ wrench. You also need access to a manual to get the sequences for un bolting the head, REMEMBER THOUGH THE NEW MLS HG HAS DIFFERENT TORQUE SPECS THAT WILL BE INCLUDED WITH THE NEW HG. Plan a weekend, and possibly spilling into the new week since it's your first time. Basicly, you pull the head, and clean the head and block sealing serfaces and slap it back on. You will need copper gasket spray to put on your new HG also. The one other thing I need to tell you is that that bolt hole (back right corner bolt) that corresponds to your leak, is about 3MM too shallow for the bolts, so when you replace them grind off 2-3mm of that bolt before you install it, then it's not going to leak again. The problem back there is that the bolt is too long and bottoms out in the hole before you can TQ it down. Also do the water pump if you can, since your right there.