Headgasket insight?

[t-topV6]

Hey all,

First off: I saw a few threads about this and the sticky in this section of the forum, but I couldn't find a step by step guide; or any sort of tutorial. I have been using the Haynes manual/google but it's only so helpful... so if anybody wants to give some advice or has pictures for the coming tasks that'd be nice.

So the other day my car, 96 3.8, got pretty hot and I had to pull over on the freeway. After letting it cool down a bit, I was able to get to the next turnoff and stopped at a chuck-e-cheese where I asked the lady attendant for some water (I had popped the hood and noticed the coolant was drained). I top off some water with a couple pitchers, and go off about my day. About a block down the road it was already almost overheating again, so I stopped into a close by quick-mart. I bought some actual coolant, a quart of oil (also saw it was a little low, hah.), and some temporary radiator sealant you pour a little of in with the coolant.
After this didn't work, barely getting back onto the high way I had to pull over. Reluctantly I got a 45 min. drive tow...
Now the car sits in my garage and I'm pretty sure it blew a head gasket. It seemed like it had water under the oil fill cap. I just put a new thermostat in it, and drove around the block before it again overheated.
Now I have removed the intake duct, drive belt, alternator, and almost have the ignition coil off, but the plug (ignition module) won't come off the coil. I didn't notice any clips on that one, and it won't budge.

I also saw a few threads about this and the sticky in this section of the forum, but I couldn't find a step by step guide; or any sort of tutorial. Anywho, I have been using the Haynes manual but it's only so helpful... so if anybody wants to give some advice or has pictures for the coming tasks that'd be nice.

As far as replacement goes, I can get either side head gasket for $20 if I could pinpoint which one it was. Or for $150 I can get their kit that includes both with an intake and exhaust gasket. I haven't decided what to do exactly but either one would have one day shipping.

:work:Whew, sorry for the story. And for those that remember, I've been good just into the motorcycle scene a bit more recently... and then my camaro didn't make it through the winter, haha.

[t-topV6]

Re: Headgasket insight?

100+ views and a day later and still not a reply? Must be getting a little slow around here...

Well I'm gonna just go ahead and cut cable. I'll leave some room on each side and when it's going back together I'll splice the individual wires back together (they all appear to be pre-color coded).

[zlexiss]

Re: Headgasket insight?

If you mean the harness going to the back of the coil packs, there's a screw in the middle that holds it in.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Headgasket insight?

Jesus...Don't cut that wire...you'll have nightmares from now until eternity pieceing that crap back together. the bolt holding it on is in the center of the clip and is a 7mm I think

[FIREBIRDV6RAGE]

Re: Headgasket insight?

Jesus...Don't cut that wire...you'll have nightmares from now until eternity pieceing that crap back together. the bolt holding it on is in the center of the clip and is a 7mm I think

i believe he is right, if i remember right it was a 7 mm bolt, i replaced my head gaskets about a year ago on my original engine about a year ago. before it pooped out again, which was my fault of no experiences and only 16 years old too

[t-topV6]

Re: Headgasket insight?

Alright thanks guys, I had no idea that bolt was back there. Anywho my newest hold up is the valve cover bolts. Each side has a corner that is inaccessible due to the engine hoist brackets. These brackets are held on with what appears to be one long bolt with a nut tightened down on each side.

Now my question is how do you remove those without lifting the engine first? The passenger side one is practically in the dash, and the bolt sticks out past the nut by a mile so I would expect you'd need the oddest shaped, deep well socket ever? How do you guys do this project without yanking the engine? I think I'm going to see if I can get a hold of an engine hoist to pull it.

Any help?

[zlexiss]

Re: Headgasket insight?

Those nasty rear bolts are a lot easier with the ratcheting box wrenches. See if you can get some PB Blaster or other penetrant in there.

[techsan23]

Re: Headgasket insight?

[QUOTE=t-topV6;1035791
Now my question is how do you remove those without lifting the engine first? The passenger side one is practically in the dash, and the bolt sticks out past the nut by a mile so I would expect you'd need the oddest shaped, deep well socket ever? How do you guys do this project without yanking the engine? I think I'm going to see if I can get a hold of an engine hoist to pull it.

Any help?[/QUOTE]

If you pull the intake manifold first it will make the pass side lift bracket bolt more accessible.

[WarShrike]

Re: Headgasket insight?

^Yup, bingo. Also way easier like zlexiss said by using ratcheting box end wrenches. Wear long sleeves if possible to cut down on the amount the cowl plastic slices your arms.

[Amorget]

Re: Headgasket insight?

The rear bracket was designed by satan himself.

[zlexiss]

Re: Headgasket insight?

I pull out those nasty plastic cowl bolts any time I'm working under the cowl.

[t-topV6]

Re: Headgasket insight?

The rear bracket was designed by satan himself.

I see that now, hah.

Well I decided it might just make everything a little easier to remove the engine, so I went and got a hoist. I have to hood off and disconnected a few things from the engine (save for maybe the power steering pump) and removed the cooling fans from the radiator. Now it looks like it's just sitting on the metal bracket fairly loosely... it appears to be just connected by hoses.
The question I have is, the most downward one I can't disconnect... I try to turn it and it bends the piping, I can't hold it still because the vice-grip starts to crush it. Any common solutions to this? I think I'm gonna go ahead and keep trying just being careful.

Thanks and good luck in all your endeavors as well.

[t-topV6]

Re: Headgasket insight?

Well that was much easier yesterday in the light... haha. So I didn't realize what kind of pipe exactly that was apparently, but it came off pretty easily the next time I checked it out. I got the radiator out, disconnected the AC, and removed the Power steering unit.
I actually had a new one of those for when I put it all together...
So next step I believe (when I get a chance) is to take the exhaust bolts off... but it doesn't seem too far away from when I'll be able to pull the motor.