Ok. I have a chance to pick up a really clean hatch that has a blown headgasket. Motor still starts and everthing but the headgasket leaks.
What exactly am I looking at for labor on getting a new one put on? OR, if I buy the headgasket kit at the auto parts store for $120, how hard is it to do the work myself? I am mechanically inclined but have never worked on an overhead cam motor before.
Just looking for your guys's opinions...
ka24de headgasket
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JStrateger
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:35 pm
- Car: 1992 Nissan 240SX
Re: ka24de headgasket (sk_8ersteve)
First off, Good find!
Replacing the head gasket isn't hard at all; It's just time consuming and there are some things you need to watch out for.
On the intake side, the EGR valve is a pain to get back on. You need to be VERY careful not to re-thread the holes when putting the bolts on, it's alluminum so its very easy to do so. The whole head is alluminum as well so watch out for that in general. If you mess up threads you have to get a tap set to fix them.
On the exhaust side you need to watch out for breaking studs. If you break a stud, you have to drill it out which will be a pain and buy a new stud. If you have the head off it won't be too bad though. I would blast those studs with PB blaster everyday for like a week before even attempting to remove the nuts which hold the exhaust manifold on.
Overall, I wouldn't pay a mechanic to do it because they'll gouge the price. The gasket set is about 70.00 dollars here and that's all you'll need besides a some misc. items and factory service manual. You're looking at about 120.00 dollars total. I can email you the section of the factory service manual you need if you decide to get the car and do this yourself, I can't find it here on nico anymore.
I would recommend you do it youself, thats just me though. I love working on cars, If I lived close to you I'd do it for free. Good luck man!
Replacing the head gasket isn't hard at all; It's just time consuming and there are some things you need to watch out for.
On the intake side, the EGR valve is a pain to get back on. You need to be VERY careful not to re-thread the holes when putting the bolts on, it's alluminum so its very easy to do so. The whole head is alluminum as well so watch out for that in general. If you mess up threads you have to get a tap set to fix them.
On the exhaust side you need to watch out for breaking studs. If you break a stud, you have to drill it out which will be a pain and buy a new stud. If you have the head off it won't be too bad though. I would blast those studs with PB blaster everyday for like a week before even attempting to remove the nuts which hold the exhaust manifold on.
Overall, I wouldn't pay a mechanic to do it because they'll gouge the price. The gasket set is about 70.00 dollars here and that's all you'll need besides a some misc. items and factory service manual. You're looking at about 120.00 dollars total. I can email you the section of the factory service manual you need if you decide to get the car and do this yourself, I can't find it here on nico anymore.
I would recommend you do it youself, thats just me though. I love working on cars, If I lived close to you I'd do it for free. Good luck man!
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sk_8ersteve
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:03 am
- Car: Nissan 240sx
Thanks alot for that offer to help. Would be nice if we 240 owners were all close together.
I would, however, really appreciate if you could send me that section of the FSM that covers the headgasket.
my email is [email protected]
Thanks alot.
I would, however, really appreciate if you could send me that section of the FSM that covers the headgasket.
my email is [email protected]
Thanks alot.
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JStrateger
- Posts: 211
- Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:35 pm
- Car: 1992 Nissan 240SX
Re: (sk_8ersteve)
No problem, I just sent the file to your email. You'll need a adobe acrobat reader (free) to view the file. I'd also suggest you get a chiltions manual on the car to help you. It's always good to have two sources of information, not to mention the factory service manual isn't very user friendly.