Im new here. Need head gasket advice

**rodman918** · 03-28-2011

Hello Gurus,
I am about to buy a 2004 Grand Prix GTP comp G that has a blown head gasket. The good news is that it is only $2600 the bad news is that it was blown in December and has been sitting every since. The oil is milky and the coolant is chocolaty. Do you all have any advice of where I should start on this car? Do you think the whole engine will have to be replaced because it has set so long with the coolant in the oil? I have read that the intake manifold gasket can cause all of these same problems. Is that possible? Is there any where that I can find a “how to” to replace the head gasket? Thanks in advance for any advice.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 03-28-2011

i willing to guess that its not the head gasket and the LIM gasket failed and they are saying that the head gasket blew. Unless they did a compression test to prove that the head gasket went.

It can be saved no problem. Just drain the oil out, dump som new CHEAP oil in and and disconnect the fuel and spark system, and crank the motor with the starter to cycle the oil into the motor.

Look at this video for the LIM gasket repair.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/lim_lifter_video.php

**Bio248** · 03-29-2011

i have to agree. mechanics dont realize how often our head gaskets blow (never) and jump to conclusions. it is the lower intake manifold gaskets.

**sseilmnop** · 03-29-2011

No no the head gaskets probable bad, and the motor is toast. Where is the car for sale at? Oh wait Utah is to far, put intake gasket on and have a blast.

**BillBoost37** · 03-29-2011

No no no ..the head gasket is probably not bad. It's the LIMMMMERs

**01gpgt01** · 03-29-2011

X3 The lower intake gasket is shot not the head gasket. Weather or not the engine is toast depends on how much the engine was run with the antifreeze in the oil pan. If it was caught quick. chances are good its fine. If it was caught because the engine started knocking, shes done. Good news is engines are pretty cheap, and there very reliable when you mod them correct and keep up with the Lim gaskets. Hope this helps

**rodman918** · 03-29-2011

WOW! I am amazed at the quick response to my questions. Thanks so much for the advice everyone! I am sure I will have many questions as I get the car home and start to tear into it. Do you have any advice on what will all be needed to replace the LIM gasket? Suggestions on brand and material of gasket? Does it come in a set? Once I get to the LIM do you think I will be able to tell if that is what the problem is so I don’t have to tear into the engine twice? Does this sound like a good deal for the car? Fivefingerdeathpunch thanks for the video link. I am sure I will go back to it several times while I am doing it. I will post updates as I do this job with pics. Maybe it will be useful to others if they run into the same problem. Thanks again everyone for the advice!

**rodman918** · 04-07-2011

Ok I got the car home and ready to start the job. The car starts and runs fine. I was able to drive it on and off the trailer when I brought it home so I am pretty sure the engine is fine. Now what will be needed to do the repair? I bought the LIM kit Felpro # MS98014 T. Now I need to know what other parts are needed. Reading through the forum I have seen other parts that are needed and I want to make sure that I am getting what I need and not getting things I don’t. The list of the parts that I think I will need I have listed below. Please if you have a few minutes look them over and tell me if I need them all and also if I am missing anything. I hate running to the parts store in the middle of repairs for parts.
Felpro 61447 Throttle body gasket
Felpro MS95744 Plenum Gasket kit
Felpro VS50465R Valve cover gasket
Thanks again for all your shared knowledge.

**sseilmnop** · 04-07-2011

Fuel injector o-rings
new plastic coolant elbows
I prefer the green coolant not DEXCOOL

Make sure all the idler pulleys spin smooth while your at it. I wouldn't replace unless they are bad.

Vacuum lines are the biggest problem when you are done because the original ones don't like being pulled off after 7 years and they tend to crack or not seal up. Check them carefully when you are putting everything back together.

**rodman918** · 04-08-2011

Which plenum gasket should i get?
Felpro MS95744
Felpro MS95812
Felpro MS96789
Thanks guys!

**Deviq** · 04-08-2011

Pretty sure its the MS95744 but wait for another to verify.

**MidnightBlue** · 04-08-2011

Make sure u get the metal LIM gaskets! And switch the Green coolant, i run that in my 07, make sure u flush ur heater core (two hoses that come out of the fire wall) and the radiator, as the green and dex will gel when mixed. Good luck!

**matt5112** · 04-08-2011

ms95744 is wrong for your car.

you might have to go to the dealer on that one.

Felpro MS96789 that one might work.

lemme check the app...

FEL-PRO Part # MS96789

thats the one.

that'll work just fine.

The first one is for gen III cars (l67) the second is for L36.

the last one you listed there is correct. FEL-PRO Part # MS96789

**Deviq** · 04-08-2011

My bad, didn't notice yours was an 04+.

**rodman918** · 04-08-2011

Thank you everyone so much for the help so far. Now my first problem...... I pulled the SC off with no problems. now i took all 10 bolts out of the intake manifold and it still feels like there is a bolt in it. i pryed on it and it moves a little bit but i cant get it to lift off. I did not remove the valve covers. do the valve covers have to come off to get the IM out? is there a hidden bolt somewhere that i am missing? Please any ideas would be a great help. I am working on this now so a quick reply would be awesome! Thanks guys.

**rodman918** · 04-08-2011

Boy do i feel like a F_-king Idiot! One of the bolts was under the puddle of coolant. So i got it out and IM came right out! Thanks!

**rodman918** · 04-09-2011

Just want to verify. The video was hard to understand what he said when he said the torque amounts. Did he say 11 ft lbs on the LIM and 17 ft lbs on the Super charger? Just want to torque them right. thanks for the input....

**DanGTP** · 04-09-2011

Torque specs sound right to me.

**BillBoost37** · 04-09-2011

13ft lbs is stock on the LIM, when swapping from plastic gaskets to aluminum I up the torque on the LIM to 15ft lbs. The sc, anything from 17 to 20 ft lbs is good.

**rodman918** · 04-09-2011

Alright guys. Sorry to be such a pain in the ass but i have yet another question. The gasket set Felpro # MS98014 T came with alot of gaskets. I am not sure if there are extra (un-needed for our cars) gaskets in the kit. There are 2 blue rubber gaskets that are straight. Are they needed? also there is a blue plug and a large o-ring. I can take pics and post them if it will help. Please let me know. Thanks guys.