i need to replace head gasket.....

[kppk1986]

i am going to have to replace my head gasket and i was wondering if it was something that a nub could do... ive read the fsm on how to do it but what should i expect as for as work load... I have a few close friends that are very mechanically inclined and they said they would help me but is replacing the gasket something very difficult.. Should i just take it to the a good mechanic. and if i take it to a mechanic what am i going to expect on labor.

[9240sx]

Its alot of work,You have to remove alot of things.If you have the Time,Tools and the know how,I would do it my self,I like doing stuff like that.

[spider_slayer]

its possiable for a newb.....you jsut gotta take your time and don't be afraid to ask for help. if you wanna take it to a mechanic expect to get raped, HARD. it takes quite a few hours to do this you could almost buy a new engine.

[The Mic]

If you're of average mechanical ability and the job doesn't have snags, no. If you're going to tackle it, do exactly what you're doing for starters: research. Get your specs that are needed as well as an r&r procedure, and you're off. Depending on where you live, or more precisely, where the car has lived, you may need Torches.

The "manifold to head" bolts can be challenging, but shouldn't stop you from trying. The bigger question you face is "is it just a head gasket?" It is possible that the gasket may have been blown from warpage in the head, in which case the head should go to a machine shop for cleaning, pressure testing, maybe magna-fluxing for cracks, and machining if it is okay. You could put it together and still have a problem. So send it to a machine shop unless you are just going to get a reman head. I don't know what size engine you have, so I can't get too specific, I would guess a 2.2 or 2.5. Fair chance of a cracked head if so. Tightening specs and sequence are important for the head bolts. Plan on new ones, toss the old ones. Get a new thermostat while you're in it. Overheating can damage a thermostat.

Getting back to the original question, yes, you can do this, be patient. IF a bolt snaps a machine shop can help you. Continue to research this before you start. Good luck.

EDIT: Because you may have warped the head, you might need to get the head machined or get a new one. So get the head checked before doing anything. This can be the price of a different engine if you get it done at a shop. You could still drive your car like this but dont expect to get much more life out of the engine. If you wanted to do a swap now is the time to sit down and make a choice.

[R240sx]

I think it would be too hard for a nub to do that, you have too many things that could go wrong, to do that you'd have to take off the timing belt, and retorque the heads, you also need some special tools, imho you should do it with your mechanic friends, but not by yourself.

[redheadedredtop]

what if your mechanic friend is a mechanic at dodge??? will he know how to do it, if he has done it on other motors?

[getnrowdy23]

yes

[TunaFish]

Pulling/Replacing a head is extremely simple provided you label everything and know where everything goes.

The only challanging part of it is getting the timing correct. Everything else is following the correct torque/untorque sequence and knowing where everything goes after you pull it apart.

[xero1]

is the metal head gasket the same thickness as the stock gasket?