[Question about 2.2L head removal]

I need to do the head gasket on my 2.2 Legacy.

 

The Haynes manual is quite helpful, but it crossreferences sections of the book, and as part of the head removal it says to remove the cam and valve rockers.

 

When looking at the diagrams, since all the head bolts are accessible without removing the valve cover, can't I just remove the whole head leaving the cam/rocker/buckets/valves intact? I'm thinking that since it's a crossreference to the section on how to dissassemble the head, that this is overkill and unnecessary for a gasket job.

 

Can anyone help?

 

thx,

 

Stephen

[Head Gasket repair "In a bottle"]

drivers side head can easily be done in the car, i just did it yesterday on an XT6. the EA82 4 cylinders are WAY easier than the 6 cylinders. headgaskets are too easy to justify pulling the motor unless you need to address a trans, crank seal, torque converter seal issue at the same time. key on the drivers side is get all the wires, hoses and intake manifold out of the way which doesn't take very long.

 

Hey, I need to replace the head gasket and want to do it in the car. Do you need to unbolt the engine mounts and tilt the engine for this job, or can it be done as it sits? Anyone know of any step-by-step instructions for this process?

 

thanks,

 

Stephen

[Anyone have a fix for leaking sunroof?]

My '91 Legacy sunroof seems to be leaking. Water will drip at a fast rate in a carwash, dripping down the front passenger side corner onto the seat.

 

With the rainy season about to start, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I should fix this? I really don't want to silicone it shut.

 

Thanks,

 

Stephen

[Repair '91 Legacy head gasket in-car: an at-home job?]

Here's the real test.

Open the radiator cap, put some water in til full. Run the car for a while and look for bubbles in the coolant. If they smell like exhaust, you're done. Blown headgasket. Call CCR.

I don't think that you want to tackle it in the car, not enough room.

Pull the engine and put a rebuild in. I've been there and know..

Good Luck..

 

Thanks Bartt. Good advice. What's "CCR"?

[Repair '91 Legacy head gasket in-car: an at-home job?]

The head gasket can be changed with the engine in the car. Space will probably be a little snug, but yes it can be done.

 

Are you aware there is a bleed screw on the passenger side of the radiator? Open that, refill the coolant and see where you temps are.

 

I'm not saying your head gasket is ok, but it sounds like you have an air pocket in there.

 

It's the low compression in the driver's side cylinders that leads me to believe that it's a head gasket. Could an air pocket cause that, do you think?

 

Certainly bleeding the cooling system is a much smaller job and worth a try if it will fix the issue.

 

Stephen

[Repair '91 Legacy head gasket in-car: an at-home job?]

I have a two 91 Legacys and on one the driver's side head gasket is blown. I surmise this because compression is low on both those cylinders and the temp gauge is pegged at H. However, the gauge shows oevrtemp even though the engine is not hot to the touch. I suspect exhaust gases are reaching the temp sensor on that side. engine still fires and ticks over sweetly, but is rough running when gas applied.

 

My question is can the head gasket be replaced with the engine still in the car?

 

All the online references seem to point to benching the engine before doing this. I'm mechanically inclined, and have maintained this car and fixed many of it's ills. However, I'm not equipped to remove the engine. It looks like it could be done in-situ, and I have read posts warning against over charging dealerships that insist on pulling the engine unnecessarily for this task.

 

Has anyone done this at home and can advise me ASAP before I make a decision on do it myself or sell off the Soobie? An alternative is one of those coolant additives for plugging blown head gaskets.

 

Thoughts/advice?

 

Thanks