• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

Blown Head Gasket?

C

cajun98

New member
Hey guys, new here. My son has an '02 SE with the 3.1 engine. He had it overheat and die on him the other day. I checked today and the radiator was empty and when I started adding coolant, it was running out on the ground. It looks like its coming from between the head and block. The oil looked fine, so I don't think its the LIM. How difficult are the head gaskets to replace. I just watched the video for replacing the LIM so I guess I should just plan on doing the head/heads and LIM at the same time. Any suggestions/hints I should know before wading into this project.
Thanks,
Brent
 


The LIM doesn't look too bad, but I'm a bit nervous about doing the head gasket. I know someone on here has to have some advice.
 
sounds like a freeze out plug either popped out, or rusted through.

you'll need to get under the car and take a good look. if its the front side, you can fix that in the car, if the rear plug went out, you need to drop the tranny, or pull the engine to change it.
 
cajun98 said:
The LIM doesn't look too bad, but I'm a bit nervous about doing the head gasket. I know someone on here has to have some advice.
Click to expand...
I'm doing the lim a vale covers today first big project for myself just look up a lot of information, videos and what ever more take your time and just read as much as you can
 
Thanks for the reply, guys. I don't think its a freeze plug, as I could see coolant running out between the head and block. I've got the car in the garage so I'll put it on juck stands and double check. Are there any special precautions/techniques to be aware of when pulling the head?
 
pull the plugs, see if they are wet with coolant, and id do a compression test as well to make sure its a head gasket.

heads are just a matter of unbolting the lim, the exhaust manifold and what ever is bolted to the side of it, either front of back of the engine, coil bracket or alt bracket.
 


cajun98 said:
Thanks for the reply, guys. I don't think its a freeze plug, as I could see coolant running out between the head and block. I've got the car in the garage so I'll put it on juck stands and double check. Are there any special precautions/techniques to be aware of when pulling the head?
Click to expand...
Not sure personally but use the search bar at the top and see what you can find I have a 3.8 supercharged gtp so its not all the same but hopefully some of the older members will chime in they can help you with everything
 
No, I can see the coolant leaking out where the head and block mate, below the front center spark plug. I've got the UIM and LIM removed but now I've hit a snag. I can't remove the passenger side dog bone mount where it connects to the engine block below the exhaust manifold. I can get it to move a little but cant remove it. Thus, I can't get to the exhaust manifold so I can remove the head. Any hints are greatly appreciated.
Brent
 
Well, I managed to get the mount loose. dsmuts, I was referring to the mounts on the front of engine that bolt to the engine block and upper radiator support. I've heard them called dog bones. I now have to get the exhaust manifold loose and then remove the head.
 


Well, I finally got the head off, and the gasket was totally trashed around the #2 cylinder. Water was getting into the combustion chamber and running out between the head and block. I've got everything pretty much cleaned up, so tomorrow I'll see if I can put this puzzle back together. One more question. I've got a new Felpro gasket, and the opening in the gasket are smaller than the corresponding water passage opening in the head/block. Is this a problem?
 
Shouldn't be but aren't you going to get the heads checked out while they are off? I'd hate to do all that work just to tear it all down again because of a warped head.
 


Well, I finally got the car put back together. She started right up and so far, no leaks or drips. I ended up replacing both head gaskets, all the valve seals, UIM and LIM gaskets and replaced a few vacuum hoses. I did have to take everything apart once after I had a bad leak in the fuel rail. One dinky little O-ring caused alot of extra work, but she seems ok now. Thanks to everyone who offered advice. It was much appreciated.
Brent
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top