Lesson Learned

[Chueybaca]

Well I posted awhile back about getting oil mixed with my coolant so I assumed it was the head gasket. Well after taking everything apart the only thing that appeared bad was the lower intake gasket(was ripped completely on one of the parts) after research these 3.8 models have a problem with the lower intake gaskets in which oil will mix with the coolant. My dad wanted to do a compression test but we got turned off with the idea in the beginning since this was a tell tale sign and we couldn't get the darn plugs off. When we finally did get the plugs off towards the end, he saw no water in them and he was skeptical about pulling the heads out. Sure enough, anxious me said do it anyway and I wasted a lot of strain/blood/sweat for nada.

Guys If you have coolant mixed with your oil don't be an idiot like me and "assume" it's the head gasket. Do a compression test! My car would've been running by now:bs:well no for reals lol

[Rob Bell]

Re: Lesson Learned

Once you have everything torn that far down, it's not really that much more to pull the heads, is it? I thought the only thing left was to disconnect the exhaust. Plus, depending on the mileage, it may not be a bad idea to replace the head gaskets anyway while everything is apart. So IMO you didn't waste that much time.

[Bandit127]

Re: Lesson Learned

But also on that note, exhaust mani bolts tend to break at high miles. So yes, its a good idea, but its also risky. But then it only gets riskier the more miles you put on.

[Chueybaca]

Re: Lesson Learned

Yeah the bolts on the exhaust flanges broke off when I was taking them apart. I think they heat froze them in place but that is no biggie. It's just a waste of money because the gaskets were in good condition.

[ssms5411]

Re: Lesson Learned

Once you have everything torn that far down, it's not really that much more to pull the heads, is it? I thought the only thing left was to disconnect the exhaust. Plus, depending on the mileage, it may not be a bad idea to replace the head gaskets anyway while everything is apart. So IMO you didn't waste that much time.

Thats true on the mileage , since its torn down might as well refresh up everything lifters and other parts. The new alm. lower intake gaskets are suppose to work really well, mine has been good for 8 years now using them.