head gasket+timing job

[Freddyk79]

'92 talon tsi awd

So being a guy who's never messed with Head Gasket's or Timing Belt's I was wondering how expensive it would be for a shop to do it. (Gonna guess $1000+) Since that way I know its right at least.

Or is there a handy DSM guy near Milwaukee, WI that need some side work?

 

[gst-turbo]

Around $1600

 

[Freddyk79]

Yikes.

 

[gst-turbo]

Find a Dsmer in ur area to help if ur not up for the job. Timing belt is hard to do the first time but after u do it a few times it's easy

 

[SrKegler]

There's is plenty on DIY posts on changing the TB and headgasket on here. Time to jump in and get your feet wet. The hardest part of the job to me is getting the front cover off. Just take your time, check and recheck each step, get some zip lock bags to put the bolts and nuts in. Label them as to which part they go to. Take pictures as you go along to help identify where things go and you'll be fine.

 

[Jerzm3]

Super easy job to tackle. There is a plethora of knowledge floating around on both jobs. Take your time, label everything and you will be fine. If timing belt is intimidating you, take a picture of the belt still installed for a reference when you re-install it. Good luck!!

 

[mcurtiss]

Timing belt job is not too difficult. Plus if you buy a new timing belt kit, most kits will come with instructions & diagrams to show proper timing mark alignment ,replacement procedures, & torque specs. As far as the head gasket goes, it is not that difficult, take your time taking it off & reinstalling. Take pictures as you go. You can use masking tape & label parts (hoses, connectors, parts, ect.) for easy reference. I always recommend paying the money to have the head inspected @ a machine shop. The machine shop around here charges around $100-130 to pressure check, clean, & resurface the head (about $35 less if resurface is not required). You will need a torque wrench to install the head bolts, there is info on spec & torque procedure on the forum (I think it was posted as head bolt torque in the forums). Most parts you need will come in the headgasket kit & timing belt kit, although you will need new head bolts, & I would also buy new oil seals for the crank & balance shaft. You may also consider purchasing a new water pump while your in there (I think Gates even has a timing belt kit with the water pump in it). I am currently replacing mine & I think I have under $425 in parts & machining costs. I spent a little extra money on an arp head stud kit instead of stock head bolts, because I may not be done modding mine.

 

[BogusSVO]

Have you confirmed that the HG is bad?

What is your reason for thinking you blew a head gasket?

Yes the timing belt is a tad tricky, but it can be done, you are not the first guy to have to change it.

 

[pauleyman]

I will pose the same question. Why do you think you have a bad gasket? Timing job alone is about 600 with parts to have it done. Adding a 1000 for head and gasket work is probably close.

 

[92AWDHX40]

This was the first big thing I ever did to my car and I got it right the first time, replace needed parts I learned a lot and saved a lot of money trying it myself.

 

[Liz93EclipseT]

If you follow the vfaq and youtube videos its really easy to do especially timing if you have the timing tools kit. $50 seems like a lot for it but it just makes it so much less stressful and if you plan to be around dsms for awhile theres a good chance youll be removing the timing belt a few times anyway even if not replacing it

 

[Freddyk79]

The car does have no heat, but it does run and drive without overheating. Long distance, like 35 m+ on the freeway. I'm losing coolant somewhere as the level is going down.

It has a significant oil leak. Definitly somewhere by the timing gears. Its getting on the bottom of the belt making it slick actually. The pressure goes down and the light pops on and off. Even with the oil full.

Only smell I get is oil, coolant not so much.

 

[Freddyk79]

The car has only 65k on it and is darn near rust free, Indiana car. Could not have possibly been driven in snow.

I know for a fact that the AC has been removed. For all I know the heater core was tore out too.

 

[BogusSVO]

Check and see if the heater core has been by passed/looped.

Oil leak could be cam seal, front crank seal or a half a$$ed BSE.

pull the front covers off, clean and give it a bit of a run and check for fresh oil

Get a real oil gauge installed, do not trust the gauge in the cluster

 

[Freddyk79]

I'm willing to bet on a messed up BSE. previous owner was an idiot.

Are the cam/crank seals accessible with the timing assembly apart?

 

[BogusSVO]

Yes they are.

Now if the BSE used the stubby shaft and the PO over tensioned the timing belt it can side load the oil pump gear causing a oil leak, worse it can tweek it to the point the oil pump gears chew into the front case

 

[Freddyk79]

OK got it.
I am pretty sure the belt isn't over tight bc it does have a Lil slack and if I tried I bet I could prolly slide the belt off the top gear. I'm sure the belt being soaked with oil contributes to that.

Thanks for all of this input! Helps me greatly

 

[Freddyk79]

Oh and the PO removed/broke the timing belt covers. Fantastic

 

[Jerzm3]

I would order new ones!! I would not drive with no covers over the timing belt. I know alot of people keep the top cover off, but i dont like that. It would be my luck that something gets in there to mess up my timing belt. Lol.

 

[Freddyk79]

Oh I know. Bottom cover for sure. Certainly my luck also

 

[Freddyk79]

+1 not trusting guages in the cluster. The OEM boost guage reads 7psi. The aftermarket one read 10.