how easy is it to change a head gasket on a car?

Question

I am quite good with hands on things (plumber) is there any special tools i would need?

Answer 1

It's not easy,but you can do it.You will need a tourque wrench and the normal wrenches and sockets.

Answer 2

It's a BIG job. Label EVERYTHING, all the hoses, wires that you unplug. Here's a big tip: when you have to unbolt the exhaust manifold, which is practically impossible to do, instead try this: cut off the exhaust pipe instead, ahead of the cat, and short enough so you can still pull the head out of the engine, leaving the exhaust manifolds intact. Then when you put it back go to the auto parts store and buy a muffler adapter to fit the two pieces of the exhaust pipe back together again. I tell you this, cause that is the hardest part of the job. But close to difficulty is the removal of the timing chain/belt. make SURE you get it back EXACTLY the way it came apart. Buy some white touch up paint, and mark all the gears and teeth, etc. of the timing belt and gears. And it's STILL hard to get the timing belt off!



You will DEFINANTLY need an auto repair manual to do this; just follow the steps carefully. It will take you a few days, so be organized.

This is NOT an easy job, but you can still probably do it. Just take my advice on the exhaust and timing chain. And don't give up.

Note: Don't bother "milling" the head, it don't need it anyway, unless it's really warped. And it probably isn't. But do buy a book, with pictures in it. And study it in advance, so you know what you're getting yourself into. But do buy the new head bolts. The torque specifications and order of tightening will be in the book. If not, look them up, you have to have them.

I don't agree with the guy above: I tell you, this is a BIG, MAJOR job, and you better have some experience with cars, not just with plumbing as it's not the same thing.

Answer 3

Not easy. Even if you get the parts back together right, tightening the bolts down properly is an art form. Especially on aluminum heads. You'll also need a killer straight edge to check the heads for warpage. The gasket blew for a reason. If you don't find out why the next one might not do any better. You need to know how to inspect the valve train while you have it apart, look at ring gaps to get a rough idea of cylinder wear, and get welded titanium class gasket material off the head and block without scratching anything.
It's a good project on an older car that won't get you divorced if you mess it up.

Answer 4

Well, you have to take all the things off that are connected or are in the way, that is a chore. Then you can take the head or heads off. There are lots of bolts. You obviously need ratchet wrench, a scraping tool, a torque wrench, when it goes back on it needs to be at the right torque value range. Other than that, go for it.

Answer 5

i think you really need to think about this get a bbok or consult a professional as stated above you will need a torque wrench however you need the percise amount , you may over do it and you need the percise pattern to tighten and you may need special preperations depending on the type of gasket you are installing such as a copper gasket you may need to mill the head or atleast give it a thoroughj cleaning to replace it with the same type gasket

Answer 6

Its not difficult to change but when you replace the head, you need to have a torque wrench & you need to tichten the nuts to the exact specifications as for your car model. dont chance it if you dont know what im talking about