Head Gasket

[Banno]

It's happened... Milky water in le radiator. So it's time for me to take the head off and replace the gasket. Anyone on here feel like being awesome and giving some pointers? I have basic mechanical knowledge (noob with that invisible {electrical} shit).
What things will I need apart from the head gasket? Rocker cover gasket? Obviously new oil and flush, radiator flush, what else?
Cheers guys

 

[brisvr4]

I'd do the timing belt and pulleys, tension ears and water pump as well.
Get the head checked too

 

[Banno]

Ok cool, anything else I might need to do?

 

[benozi]

I have a headgasket on ebay for you, Its not the easiest job if you have no idea what to do. try and get help , you dont want to get the timing wrong

 

[brisvr4]

If you get the head skimmed I'd also throw in new valve guide seals while its off.
What gasket are you putting back on?

 

[Hypo]

What engine do you have?

 

[4piknup]

While head is off, check valve seal by tipping head on it's side and tipping some kero in ports. If it leaks, you need to lap the valves that leak

 

[nigel_a]

its an rvr motor. would be worth it getting some arp studs aswell.

 

[Banno]

It's a RVR 4g63 as far as I've been told, basically I just want to do this as cheap as possible until my moto and ex's engagement ring sells, then I'll be rebuilding the bottom end with forgies and tuning it. I just need this done so I can get to work without doing major damage...

 

[4piknup]

pull the head, straight edge the head and block to see if it needs machining, check for valve leakage. chuck on the new gasket. drive...

 

[Banno]

Cheers guys

 

[Hypo]

I have a ralliart competition head gasket you can have for $50 if you want it. I went to a MLS on my EVO II rebuild.

 

[blackvr]

Make sure that the oil cooler heat exchanger ( if you have one) isnt the culprit ... A small internal perforation in the heat exchanger core will push oil into the cooling system ( ie 60 psi vs 15 psi). Seen a bit of this lately. The head gasket may actually be ok !

 

[Banno]

Cheers for the heads up blackvr, Ill have a little bo peep tomorrow

 

[4piknup]

Compression test time

 

[Banno]

Ah balls, my compression tester kit is at mums in Victoria

 

[4piknup]

Make sure that the oil cooler heat exchanger ( if you have one) isnt the culprit ... A small internal perforation in the heat exchanger core will push oil into the cooling system ( ie 60 psi vs 15 psi). Seen a bit of this lately. The head gasket may actually be ok !

Fair point this, oil in water is a bit unusual for a head gasket. It usually is overpressurising coolant system, and dumping water out the overflow instead.
Is the oil like choc milk too? Creamy under oilfiller cap?

 

[Banno]

Yeah, like a custards kinda colour... Hard to explain and don't know how to post pics lol

 

[4piknup]

95% sure its head gasket related then. Other 5% it might be a crack head or block, fairly unlikely tho

 

[Banno]

-.-" please don't say the 'c' word lol