modular9 Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 yep! I busted my head gasket. My fault. I take full responsibility. But that bmw needed to be taught a lesson . Anyhow. I searched this forum and other than a thread from 3 years ago which had some info in it but that was more of a "help my head is stuck sort of thing." I also didnt want to resurrect something that old. Soooo... How do I go about lifting the head off an engine that is still in the car? I know about the wedging-the-tensioner tricky thing. I know to check for those 2 little bastard nuts at the front of the engine near the water pump. But anything else that I need to keep an eye on? I really dont want to have to take more than i need to off. Lesson to be learned ? Take on a bmw but be prepared to spray coolant all over your fusible links! ( I did win my head gasket didnt though ) Quote
C.A.R. Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Just make sure the wedge is in tight & the tensioner doesn't fall out. Oh & get someone to help pull the head off when your ready to remove it & put it back on - it just makes it easier Quote
NZeder Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 As Lurch has stated get a good wedge in there or the tensioner will pop. I thought I got my wedge in correctly but alas the tensioner popped. So a hassle but do-able as this is what I had to do after this happened. 1. Remove the radiator 2. Drop the front sump bolts 3. Drop the oil pump - fun with the swap bar still present again do able 4. Remove the front cover and fix your F-up Re assemble. So take it from me - make sure your wedge is good and the right shape to hold things in place. Quote
S30Mike Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 yep! I busted my head gasket. My fault. I take full responsibility. But that bmw needed to be taught a lesson . Anyhow. I searched this forum and other than a thread from 3 years ago which had some info in it but that was more of a "help my head is stuck sort of thing." I also didnt want to resurrect something that old. Soooo... How do I go about lifting the head off an engine that is still in the car? I know about the wedging-the-tensioner tricky thing. I know to check for those 2 little bastard nuts at the front of the engine near the water pump. But anything else that I need to keep an eye on? I really dont want to have to take more than i need to off. Lesson to be learned ? Take on a bmw but be prepared to spray coolant all over your fusible links! ( I did win my head gasket didnt though ) What BMW did you munch? Quote
modular9 Posted June 24, 2009 Author Posted June 24, 2009 I got a pic from this site http://240z.jeromio.com/head.html for the wedge. I will not let the tensioner pop ... i will not let the tensioner pop. If it does I wont post that it did ! Reading on hybridz the 5th cylinder is the bad cylinder from a cooling point of view and that is where the gasket has gone. I hope it isnt a normal problem because i want to be able to give it a boot. Bmw: just a 330 . Nothing special but I was not having it. I think it was an old one or something because i really shouldnt have beaten it . I got a l28 +30 thou , triple 40 dhla , extractors + 2.5 incher straight through shouldnt have dusted a bmw... in fact it didnt... i have a blown gasket. he gets to go on to his accountants job in a running car ! TDC is for sure. Even going to nikko the chain to the cam gear. Quote
C.A.R. Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Get your head skimmed while it's off - 95% sure it'll be warped slightly. Quote
waxhead Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Did you sort out the Bmw Maybe give it a port job while you are there as well in case you see him again Quote
Scoota G Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Don't forget the new Head Bolts too :-D ROFL. Quote
Scoota G Posted June 24, 2009 Posted June 24, 2009 Get your head skimmed while it's off - 95% sure it'll be warped slightly. Just got mine skimmed last week (with some really dodgey porting that i did) cost me 75 squid Quote
modular9 Posted June 24, 2009 Author Posted June 24, 2009 I hope it doesnt need skimming it was mildly ported and flowbenched and "trued" 6 months ago. The more I read about the cooling issue on cylinder 5 the more i think I need to look at my coolant options. Will check and post pics ( for the people who are voyeuristic about buggered engines !). The radiator is the only thing i havent replaced on this car! Yep I sorted out the bmw at the expense of my head gasket though i think it cant only have been the "race". Damn it felt good though. Worth the 500 odd dollars to get the car on the road again. I need a life Quote
NZeder Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 I need a life Why sounds like you got one + one that is having fun with a zed on the track - what could be better (and don't answer that with some (_E=mc2_) a smart ass - in e-mooning, comment) Quote
modular9 Posted June 25, 2009 Author Posted June 25, 2009 I dont want to spill this into my own build details as I hope that i'll get some pics so this can be searched in the future. So check my build thread for the good news. It involves gaskets , breasts , beer , and davies craig fans ... not necessarily in that order ! Quote
GTS-Retro Posted June 29, 2009 Posted June 29, 2009 sorry to hijack. im looking at doing my gasket too. the wedge you talk about is that to keep the timing chain pulled tight? Quote
C.A.R. Posted June 29, 2009 Posted June 29, 2009 Have you got a workshop manual? If so, it's all detailed in it. If not, GO BUY ONE! Quote
Scoota G Posted June 29, 2009 Posted June 29, 2009 Like this one http://www.datman.co.uk/techtips/index.htm Not this one Quote
modular9 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Posted June 29, 2009 Ok Well 6 hours from whoa to go. ( done head gasket changes before on a jag and a few v8's but 6 hours is pretty good for me ) Writing a wee post on how it was all done with a few pics on the way. Will have everything i needed from oil /coolant oil filter new gaskets all that with prices ( as of 27 July 2009 ) . Hopefully it will be useful for someone who is searching for this info. Scootag : nice find Could have used that 2 days ago . Quote
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