Wednesday, November 24, 2010

HOW TO CHANGE A HEAD GASKET?

I have a 1994 mercury cougar, and its blowing white smoke out of the tail pipe that smells like gas. i need step by step instructions on how to do this job.HOW TO CHANGE A HEAD GASKET?
That job is complex and should be done by someone with experience- especially with an overhead cam engine. It's OK to know how to do it. Take Walt's advice and read a good repair manual.



After the head is off, it still needs to be checked for warpage and cracks and reconditioning it cannot be done with any common tools around the house. If you have the skill and plan to do this job, make sure you have a way to get the head to a machinist. I've already said too much, if you never have worked on an engine.HOW TO CHANGE A HEAD GASKET?
Spend the $20 and buy a repair manual. I don`t have time to write a book for you with step by step directions for some one that may or may not know what they are doing. And if you have to ask how. Chances are you have no skills whatsoever, and probably no tools eitherHOW TO CHANGE A HEAD GASKET?
You should know this is not an easy job to do, not just because you have to take the whole top of the engine off, but when you put it back together you need to torque every thing back down in a specific sequence. The best thing to do is to take it to a shop, I know it is going to cost a lot, but at least you know it will be done right.

If you can't afford to take it in then go and get a repair manuel for your car type and year. I like using a Chilton Auto Repair manual, they are done by people who take each issue and do it from start to finish showing step by step what you have to do. A manual is about 20-25 dollars, you are also going to need among other tools a torque wrench, possibly tubing wrenches, (they are like open end box wrenches, but the opening is smaller so it will fit over the tubes for the carburetor or throttle body because these will need to be taken off with out being broken off, because these are easily broken).

These are just some info that I can give it there is a lot more, so go and get a manual and or talk to mechanic about what is involved in this kind of job.

Good luck to you....peace....HOW TO CHANGE A HEAD GASKET?
the 232 v6 ford used thoughout the 90's had an iron block and aluminum head. after countless heat cycles (running the car, getting it hot then letting it cool) the different expansion and contraction rates of the metals will cause the head to crack. white smoke is steam which means you are leaking coolant into the combustion chamber. your head is cracked. you can try some sealant but you are likely looking at a costly repair. i hate to say it but its probably time for a new car, or at the very least a new engine.



for future reference:

white smoke=coolant

black smoke=unburned fuel and you are running rich

blue smoke=burning oil



they are all badHOW TO CHANGE A HEAD GASKET?
This is not exact.. and no way conclusive as i;m tired lol...but from what i can remember:



DISCONNECT BATTERY



Remove all HT leads + Spark plugs



Take off rocker cover



Remove water pump



Remove Air filter and housing



Remove Inlet manifold



Remove exhaust manifold



Mark pulley timings up on the cam belt so you can make sure when the belt is put back on it is all in time..if the timing is out there is a high risk of killing your engine.



Release tensionsers and then remove auxillary belt (fan belt) and your cam belt.



Remove cylinder head



Wellah! your head gasket is reveled..make sure you put the new one in correctly. And then re-assemble...it is strongly advised that you replace all your gaskets once this has been done (i.e Water pump gasket, rocker cover gasket, exhaust flange)



Also..you sure its the head gasket? check for oil in water and water in oil..is it over heating?.. this is a big job to do so make sure it is what it is. People do make a big fuss over this job...its not hard as long as you are confident and remember ho to put it back together