How do you learn to replace the head gasket on your 1998 Olds Silhouette?

Answer 1

Hello, Not a mechanic, vacuum specialist or a electrician, I've managed to replace the head gasket on my 1998 Silhouette. It's running better than it ever has, passed emissions and is getting 5/mpg better then when I started the job. Begin first by investing in a digital camera. As you remove the simplest of clamps wire connectors and bolts, take pictures from every angle along the way. Very importantly mark and tag wires, especially spark plug wires, as to their orientation and take pictures of these as well. Guaranteed you will lose some of the markings and tags. The pictures will remind you approximately how things go back. You will be able to figure out the rest. I also used a journal to write notes as I went along and drew plenty of pictures. I also dedicated a bench in the garage so I could lay things out in the order that they were removed. I took pictures of all of that as I went along too. And last of all , work with your friendly parts counter person at a dealership for genuine parts and blow up pictures of the engine. I got all of this from the parts counter at our local Chevrolet dealership. So here is what I did: Drain the anti freeze and remove the battery cables. Working slowly, and using the precautions mentioned above, remove the vacuum lines, some of the wire harness connectors and air intake components. Work your way to the back to the ignition module and then remove the serpentine belt. Make sure that during the whole process you never turn the engine. At around this point I lifted the van onto jack stands. I removed the water pump, alternator and moved the Power Steering pump out of the way. I unbolted the refrigeration components making sure all lines staid intact. Zip ties become your friend and helping hands. Next come the valve cover gaskets, upper plenum, fuel injector rail and exhaust system. The vehicle needs to be lifted for both removing the exhaust and firewall side spark plugs. (Be very careful when under the vehicle. Make sure it is propped up steadily and the jacks) I used a floor jack pumped up as a backup system. Next I removed the push rods and rockers. For god