1988 626LS 4dr 4cyl auto NON turbo
I'm not a mechanic.How hard is it to replace the head gasket?What should I look out for?Anything I should do while the head is off? How long should it take?how do I make sure the head is good?Valves?Where should I get parts for it is there aftermarket?It is a small combustion gas leak into the glycol so far how do I make sure the motor deck (where the head sits) is OK?Sorry for all the ?s but both our vehicles are down with this problem and we can't afford to have a shop repair them @ $1100-1300 each. please email me at cbxxx@webtv.net

 

I am a mechanic, and just warning you that this is not the place to try your luck. If you do not have a good amount of tools and mechanical knowledge, it is not for a beginner.

 

bkey71,I don't have an option,I'm on a fixed income and can't afford to have it done.Can you answer any of my questions?

 

bkey71,I don't have an option,I'm on a fixed income and can't afford to have it done.Can you answer any of my questions?

 

These are very tricky questions to try and answer. How many miles are on the car? How much mechanical experience do you have? Do you have a good set of metric tools? Quality ones... Are you prepared to drill a possible broken bolt? Only way to tell the condition of the head is while it is off, look to see the reason for head gasket failure. Did it fail of old age, or a problem with the head? The only way to check the straightness of the head and block surface is a machinist straight edge and feeler gages. plus you need to get the specs for warpage, to see allowabe tolerances. If the head looks good, I would NOT have a valve job done unless you rebuild the whole engine. It could blow out the rings and cause excessive oil burning. Is the car running fine except for the exh leak into the coolant? If so, you might get away with doing the head gasket set. Did it overheat? You should be able to go aftermarket for parts. Make sure to get a "head set" for gaskets, makes it easier. As far as time to do the job, usually about 4-6 hours for an experienced mechanic with air tools. Make sure to have plenty of room to lay bolts out as you remove them as not to lose any and you know where they all came from.

 

Thanks BK,yes I have the tools and have done some work on my motorcycles.I have removed some broken screws.The engine has 170,000 miles on it and is running real good except for the leak.I think it's causing the FI to push to much fuel to make up for the leak as mpg is down from 30-32 to 24-26.What is a head set? Should I at least lap the valves and clean them up?I can't be sure of the car overheating haven't seen it but I'm not the only driver (GF).Will have the head professionally checked before doing anything to the engine.If you think of anything else let me know,thanks again.

 

If the car is running good, just do the head gasket. A head set includes all the gaskets you need in one box when removing the head.

 

Motor Age magazine, a trade publication, talks about an additive that can avoid having to replace a head gasket. This may be an option for you. reply and I'll dig out the info. Use housechepachet@***.net. This addr is only good till 10/31. Your car's an 88 right? Try this first and boogey till it pukes.














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