How do you repair a head gasket failure?

Answer 1

I have done it myself and here's whats involved.

I am a novice amateur beginner mechanic but I got a friend (auto electrician) to guide me.

You have to remove the engine in order to do this so you need to weigh up the costs of doing other replacements which cannot be reached easily.

Basic procedure:

1 remove bonnet

2 remove radiator

3 remove air box& inlet manifold and any other piping or electrical connections

4 remove engine

5 Disassemble engine, remove rocker covers and heads.

Replace:

1 Both head gaskets

2 Both rocker gasket

3 All head bolts

4 All spark plugs

5 Timing belt

6 Fan belts

7 Water pump

8 Pulley

9 Engine oil and filter

10 Coolant

Repair:

1 Have the heads machined flat.

This cost me $2200 AUD and 3-4 evenings to complete. I had quotes for $5500AUD to have a mechanic do it. It was very satisfying. If you decide to have a go yourself get a mate and a Haynes manual as this is a big but not impossible job.

Good luck