cleaning before replacing head gasket

[money]

Hi all,

I have just taken the head off, and it is filthy on both sides . . .any advice on getting it totally clean?? what to use . . .what detergents etc . .

Also noticed that where the head had blown, just round the right hand piston . . .the metal gasket type thing had clearly been flapping a little, and has kind of erroded a 1mm groove into the head . . .it is a few mm from the very edge of the piston side of the gasket . .but I cant help think it may be a bit of a week spot in the future . . .i really dont want to get it skimmed as it will involve taking out all the valves etc, and I have no clue how to do this . . .could I just fill the groove with gasket sealer or something like that???

thanks in advance for your advice . .

Arthur

[derek mclean]

Any imperfections in the head face must be corrected. if you don't you are just asking for trouble. Best to do it properly, not by bodge methods.
Taking valves out is easy, with fairly simple equipment. Where you need a bit of skill, and thought, is when it comes to putting it all back together. If even taking the valves out is too much for you I wonder whether you ought to have begun the job at all.
It is always worthwhile taking the valves out anyway to grind them in, and whenever anything like this is done the clearances always need to be checked and adjusted. This means measuring with feeler gauges, and adjusting with shims of different thicknesses.
One way might be to get a garage or a specialised machine shop to do this overhaul for you. They will probably charge you a hundred or two, depending on whether they need to replace any bits.
As for cleaning, you could try petrol. Better still is a cellulose paint thinner. This is especially good at removing gummy deposits and black sludge. Use a paint brush, with a little elbow-grease and patience.
When putting the head back on, remember to get the camshaft sprocket in the correct place relative to the crankshaft. I once came across an amateur that put an Imp head back on and never gave any though to timing the camshaft. He just slapped it together and when it wouldn't go he towed it to me. I found the camshaft totally out of sync.
From what you say about the gasket failing around no.4 I assume it is a 2-litre, as they have a common problem in this area. The timing marks are fairly clear on all the Maestro engines. I think they are all timed at 90 degrees before TDC (top dead centre) i.e. with all the pistons half-way up or down, 1 and 4 coming up and 2 and 3 going down, all at the same height. I can't swear to it. Best to check in a book, or get professional advice.
Any doubts, come back to me.

Derek.

[E_T_V]

If you just want to clean the faces without damaging them, use a plastic kitchen scourer and petrol or thinners etc. The plastic scourers don't damage the faces.

[derek mclean]

I can't argue with the above but I still maintain that you can't ignore the "groove" in the face. It is imperative that it should be machined true. Any attempt to fill it or ignore it will end in a short lifetime, and it will need to come apart again to do the job properly.

I like the idea of the plastic scourer. I shall put that in the memory banks for some future occasion.

Derek.

[money]

Yes it is a 2.0i diesel . . .when you say this is a common problem, I should have another 80 000 miles left with the new head gasket shouldn't I? Or do the 2.0 diesels go on number 4 piston more often than that?

As for the job, I did keep the timing in correct position, put it back together and started first time . . .running like a dream!!

just a little worried about the fact that I used a sharp but very flat metal chizzel to clean off the head, and the little groove around number 4 which I filled with exhaust gasket sealant, just flattened it off!!!

Let me know what you all think . . .seems to be running smoothly though!!!

Thanks for your inputs . . .!!! Arthur

[Maestro_efi]

hello money

it seems that you have a dilema:

take the head off the car and take it to one of theses steam cleaning places as it is valves in and all get them to steam clean it for you then take it to an engineers they will strip and skim your head and rebuild it for you. i have just had a petrol head done with skim recut valves two new valves and rebuild plus gaskets £181.98 inc vat not bad for the full works.

when you get it back get your self a scotch bright pad and polish the outside of the cylinder head with it then user VHT clear lacqure this will keep it clean and looking good.

do not use Alloy whell clear lacqure as this will turn yellow and peel off and look like sh**

best wishes


Nigel Read
Bristol