Signs of a Blown Head Gasket

[murdoc_47]

Worked like heck today to get the timing cover on before the weather gets bitter cold later this week. Do yourselves a favor folks and follow the instructions in order. I got a little ahead of myself and had to re-do the timing chain three times! Here's the order:
1. line up the sprockets
2. put the chain on, it's going to hang off the crank sprocket, I used a zip-tie just above the sprocket to keep everything in place.
3. Install the guide on the right side, the straight-ish one.
4. Install the left, curved guide
5. Install the plunger, tensioner
6. Pull the pin on the tensioner

Hope this helps someone in the future.

 

[Odrapnew]

I paid about $750 to have 2 Ford heads (2 valve per cylinder) cleaned, valve job and surfaced, so $530 is right in line with that since you have same total number of valves and arguably a bit more complicated head design.

 

[ruthrj]

Thank you so much for the pictures and status updates. Reading this whole thread is making me feel completely lazy putting off a transmission fluid and filter change on the truck.

 

[murdoc_47]

Thank you so much for the pictures and status updates. Reading this whole thread is making me feel completely lazy putting off a transmission fluid and filter change on the truck.

Well you can be SUPER lazy like me and never change the transmission fluid! lol. 316K miles on this CX-5 and never had a fluid change. Yes, I'm knocking on all of the wood in my house!