Replacing head gasket

[serrison2]

Iv been driving my 97 Esi for a while but 2 weeks after i got it i hit a deer doing about 65. There was hardly any cosmetic damage, the main concern was the driver side radiator mount had broken and was spewing coolant like a water hose.

I took it to the shop and they repaired everything, but ever since i got it back its been pushing coolant. Iv done everything i could think of, replaced the thermostat, replaced the water temp sensor. We even flushed the radiator after we got it back, and nothing.

As long as i occasionally put water in it, it drives like it should but i shouldn't have to. I'm in the middle of a tear down now trying to replace the head gasket because that's the only thing my buddy and i can think of, im also replacing the timing belt because it hasn't been changed in 70k miles. Of course we're following the the manual closely but i swear the motor mount bracket that fits into the timing cover is not going to come off, the bolts are far too long, and i just don't have the room between the motor and tire well.

I wanted to remove the motor to do it in the first place, but im trying not to seeing as the book says this is all done with the motor in the car.

I may also replace the water pump too if that could have something to do with it.

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[r1991_4g63t]

it is alot easier than it looks to get the bracket off, once you loosen all 3 bolts it comes out really easy. as for your other problem id be looking at the water pump

 

[r1991_4g63t]

you may have to jack the motor up a little bit to get it out, but once you have all three bolts loose you can wiggle it out pretty easy, the hardest part is getting the bolts loose.

 

[serrison2]

The bolts are loose and backed all of the way out but that's the problem, they're hitting the side of the tire well, and catching on the timing belt cover, there's also a little metal tube running between the two that's in the way. The bolts are about 3 inches long, iv had the top one out because of the little bit of room i was able to get but that's it.

I'm at wit's end.

 

[r1991_4g63t]

try jacking the motor up a slight bit. ive done TBs on that motor several times and never had a bit of trouble getting that out. after i got it out the first time anyway. just keep trying and you'll get it

 

[serrison2]

Thanks man, i unbolted and moved one of the metal hoses just barely enough to squeeze the bottom from bolt through then the last one followed shortly after. This is after i jacked the motor a little more than i had it.

Thanks man, really appreciate it.

 

[r1991_4g63t]

Thanks man, i unbolted and moved one of the metal hoses just barely enough to squeeze the bottom from bolt through then the last one followed shortly after. This is after i jacked the motor a little more than i had it.

Thanks man, really appreciate it.

no problem, i know what your going through. i was lookin for somethin to wipe myself with the first time i came across it. anything else ask, ive been through that motor way too many times

 

[cs82685]

try jacking the motor up a slight bit. ive done TBs on that motor several times and never had a bit of trouble getting that out. after i got it out the first time anyway. just keep trying and you'll get it

A slight bit Hah! You don't know 420a's. THe easiest way to do it is remove the front motor mount bolts and jack that thing to heaven.

 

[r1991_4g63t]

A slight bit Hah! You don't know 420a's. THe easiest way to do it is remove the front motor mount bolts and jack that thing to heaven.

well sorry for your luck but i only had to come up about 3 inches to get it out, as for not knowing 420a you couldnt be farther from the truth.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I too have always had to remove the front motor mount. Even with the mount not there, it's still pretty difficult to slide those bolts out: I can't imagine doing it with the mount in place.

 

[r1991_4g63t]

i was assuming he had already taken the mount loose

 

[cs82685]

I too have always had to remove the front motor mount. Even with the mount not there, it's still pretty difficult to slide those bolts out: I can't imagine doing it with the mount in place.

The first time I did it without removing the front MM. It was frustrating to say the least. The other times though I've removed the front MM and it makes it soooooo much easier.

well sorry for your luck but i only had to come up about 3 inches to get it out, as for not knowing 420a you couldnt be farther from the truth.

sure you can do it with only jacking the motor up a little, but I find it's much easier to do it with the front motor mount out. Of course for the OP at this point it is a moot point because he's already gotten the bolts out and the bracket off.

 

[TalonESIT]

A slight bit Hah! You don't know 420a's. THe easiest way to do it is remove the front motor mount bolts and jack that thing to heaven.

Read my mind! I had to jack my engine up A lot! Even after I did I had to wiggle the bolt to get it at an angle to get it out! I removed my crossmember just to be sure.

 

[serrison2]

Yes, i removed everything to get it out of the way, including the MM.