Need "How To" For Head Gasket Replacement
- Thread starter b_dues
- Start date
SeR_Cyclops
Member
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- Mazdaspeed Protege
If you are an average mechanic i would not attempt this. it is a big job to do and if you dont get it right it can cause problems down the road.
MSpeedFreak03
Member
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- 2003 MSP
i seconed that^... if you want a how to the best thing you can do is search for a factory service manual for the MSP and download it
HondaEat-R
Member
Step 1) Call a tow truck.
Step 2) Bring it to a mechanic.
Step 3) Work overtime.
Step 2) Bring it to a mechanic.
Step 3) Work overtime.
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
I say find a mech friend that has done this type of work before and have them help you along. s*** you gotta start somewhere sooner or later.
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- 2003.5 MSP
i have all data installed on the computer at my shop.i may make it by there today to do head gaskets on a subaru.id like to get that car done today even though its sunday,but my ambitions arent too high so either today or tomorow ill get you the entire run down on head gasket replacement.shoot me a pm if you dont get any info by monday night.i have so much going on i tend to forget things.i may have to send it through a different form of email also so if u dont hear anything by monday night shoot me a reminder and your email info
blueprotegelx
iZoom
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- 2003 Mazda Protege LX-T
I have my bro's username and stuff and I'll get on there later to see if I can download something and put it up on here as a how to...
I've replaced them on motorcycles before but never a car so I was afraid that it would be too much to handle. Here's the question though...I have no compression problems or anything, just oil coming from the gasket (in between valve cover and head). Is a new head gasket necessary or is the oil just from "sweating"? I should add my car has sat in my garage stored over the winter.
if you just have oil in between the valve cover and head its most likely just the valve cover gasket. thats an easy one.
just remove the valve cover, replace the gasket and voila.
if u had a head gasket issue, it would have compression issues, and oil and coolant mixed in the pan.
Yeah it's the valve cover gasket than for sure...on that note, does anybody have a how to for changing the valve cover gasket and how important would that be to change since there is only surface oil on the head (aka sweat).
You should definately change it, the gasket is like thirty dollars. Essentially you remove the coils and wires. Loosen the harness that runs across the passenger side of the valve cover, then undo all the bolts in the cover. Replace the gasket, reverse the process. Just make sir u don't over torqe the cover bolts as the cover us just aluminum. I think they are torques to 12 in/lb.
So what I ended up doing is tightening the bolts because they weren't even close to tight enough..during the process I snapped one of the bolts so I took the car to my local Mazda dealer and they took care of it for me..bless their hearts. Other than that I'm gonna pick one up off of culrider to have in case the tightening wasn't sufficient. It's amazing how loose the bolts on the valve cover were though. I recommend that everyone check theirs if they haven't..I was shocked to say the least.
Ps. thanks for the info terbow.
Ps. thanks for the info terbow.
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- 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
The valve cover doesn't need to be that tight to begin with. I know it only needs to be torqued down in inch lbs. They're only like 60-87 inch lbs.
I'll help you out with the valve cover gasket when I get it in a few weeks
Right on, sounds good. It seems to be doing well ever since I tightened them..but I think I'll still put the new one in. It can't hurt...plus I'll need to soon anyways.
