Head Gasket... I'm pretty sure.

[endlessMyk]

Last night my car started overheating. Went to put stuff in it and saw there was PLENTY of oil mixed in my overflow tank. Pretty damn sure I've got a blown head gasket. I searched into the tech articles and didn't see a how-to for gasket changing, and my manual was thieved. Anyone know where I can find an exact write-up of changing head gaskets? Or have any other useful advice?

 

[DSM90AWD]

Anyone know where I can find an exact write-up of changing head gaskets? Or have any other useful advice?

There are alot of steps involved not to mention you need proper tork settings. Not to be a smart guy, but picking up another manual is the best way to get this info

 

[super97gst]

are you sure that it's a headgasket problem?? im sure that if you've got oil in the coolant overflow tank that is most likely the problem. do you have any white smoke coming out of either wheel well while driving at a slow speed?? like stated above, if you're gonna do a headgasket job yourself you need to go buy a shop manual for your car from the dealer. the manual will tell you step by step instructions on what bolts to take out and what other things have to be taken off, etc. it will also tell you what the torque specs are on the head. which is very important. make sure when you replace the gasket to take a scraper and get every tiny spec of old gasket off the head. old pieces of gasket material could cause you to have to pull the head again.

if it were me i would make certain it is indeed a headgasket before i took the time of pulling it all apart. good luck

 

[90LaZeRrst]

There is far more to it than just replacing the head gasket. You will need to re-do the timing ( when doing so, you should always replace all tensioners / pullies / belts with REAL Mitsubishi parts.) You should get ARP head studs because they are re-usable where your stock studs are not ( They are stretchable bolts where ARPs are said to not be).

I would take the head to a machine shop and have them flat deck it if it needs it. If your car got hot at some point, there is a good chance the head is at least slightly warped. It would suck to go through and do the entire job to find out you need to do it all over again. Head gaskets are not re-usable so if you do have to start over, once those head studs are tightened, get a new gasket if you have to take the bolts back out.

If you have a friend that has done this before, have them there with you. You don't want to mess up timing. You could be off a little ( only takes one notch) or even worse, you could destroy the valves / guides in your head.

There is probably a direct procedure on www.vFAQ.com .

 

[endlessMyk]

I've got a few friends who have done this before, bu they're not that reliable. I've got a friend who is a machinist who is going to be helping a nice chunk of the way, so I won't be paying for labor. Only problem is, he's changed head gaskets, just not on the 4g63t.
The only time I had white smoke, it was coming from a hole in my radiator hose. That's as much as I know about.