Head gasket replacement?

hey guys....im thinkin of replacing the head gasket on my old car,and im wondring,is the haynes repair manual enogh for me?

-and if i want to do that....do i have to take the engine off,or can i do it as is?

-how much time do i need to do that? its a 4 CL 2.2

any tips that i cant finde in the manual you guys can help me with....that would be great..



thank you so much for your timeHead gasket replacement?
If you have an OHC, make sure you get the cam and crank lined up when you put it back together. If you have a rocker arm assembly on top of the head. make sure your push rods are straight. Replace them as a set if you need to. Drain your fluids (oil and water) and disconnect the battery before you start and DO NOT, under any circumstances, turn the engine over when you have it apart.
The best manual is at the dealer. Haynes is really a hit and miss thing.



I wouldn't even need an entire manual for that job. Just torque specs, the torque sequence. If you have a mechanic as a friend they are probably the same way.



Depending on what engine this is you may need to replace the head bolts as well when doing this job. The machine shop will know.



Also have a machine shop check to see that the head is not warped.



If it is warped find a shop that can straighten it versus just surface it. I am not sure exactly what engine you are talking about as there are more than one type of 2.2L 4 cylinder, but many of them are overhead cam. Like the Mazda 2.2 dual over head cam. You want to avoid resurfacing because it will affect valve timing which can really decrease performance. If they have to straighten it you should also have the valves reground.



Don't use a cheap 'click' type torque wrench. Buy or borrow a good name brand 'click' type or if your on a tight budget go buy one of the bar/needle type. The cheap 'click' type can yield disastrous results.



If your not one to remember where all the hoses went. Take pictures before you take it apart. You can also use tape and a marker to label things. Like put a "1" on the hose and a "1" on the fitting it goes on... etc...



Check the timing marks BEFORE your put the head back on. If this is an interference engine you can damage the valves if you put it on with the valve timing incorrect.Head gasket replacement?
Hey Slim...



I too have the 4 Cyl 2.2L non V-tec engine in my Accord. I have read that section on doing the head gasket over %26amp; over in the Haynes manual (partially because I know sometime I will have to do it).



So yeah, the Haynes manual will tell you exactly how to get it done. You should plan for about 4 hours (giving yourself enough time to make 2 - 3 small mistakes, get frustrated, cool down and then think your way through it.....) and have lots of engine degreaser and WD40 handy.



The engine does not have to come off, in fact it's better if it stays on (since the head gasket is easier to reach from the top side). The only thing you really have to watch for is when you are replacing the spark plug cylinders. If you tighten those too much, (or the bolts holding the oil pan) you will cause damage to them and to your engine next time you start it up. If you have a buddy who has done spark plug changeouts before, bring him/them along (better safety factor too!) Pay him some beer and a steak on the bbq, that always works for mine!
To be honest, if the head gasket blew on the engine, your best bet, is to pull the engine, and rebuild it. ***Something*** caused that gasket to blow, could be a warped head/cracked/etc, same goes with the block. BOTH the block, **AND** the head, need to be checked for warpage. Either, or both can be warped. If you dont bother to check both, you run a good chance of just wasting your time, and money. Get a book called "how to rebuild your ??? engine", they are very good for beginners, it will go over removal/teardown, and items to watch, ive done several small block chevy's and a couple of ford 302's. When a engine gets enough miles/problems to blow a head gasket, you can bet your money, that something else is wrong also. Rebuilding a engine yourself, is not as expensive as you would think. Keep everything spotlessly clean, check clearances, torque, and take your time.Head gasket replacement?
And air compressor and impact gun come in really handy when it comes time to take off the head. You can do it with the engine in the car. A pro can do it in about a day, you might need all week. Don't forget to send the head out to a machine shop