ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: RACER X on September 09, 2008, 08:16:34 PM

Title: head gasket replacement help
Post by: RACER X on September 09, 2008, 08:16:34 PM
last saturday me and the misses went for a nice long drive we got home i noticed the temp gauge was up a lil high i drove home and checked the coolant wich was empty then i checked the oil it was mixced with water so ive blown a head gasket after checkin around most mechanics in Portland Or want about $700 to $1200 to fix a blown head gasket ive never replaced one before ive done gears timing belt etc ....is this somthing i can do or should i spend the bucks and get it done professionally  if i do it do it myself do i  need spec tools  right now ive got my poor rig in the garage i need your help!!! ....or if your in the portland area and do this type of work let me know thanks please help me out.
for the time being i have to car pool with my wife.............HELP!!
Title: Re: head gasket replacement help
Post by: Drone637 on September 10, 2008, 08:53:55 AM
A good torque wrench and either a Factory Service Manual from Hawk Suzuki, because I like them, or a downloaded copy from either Acks Faq or Suzukiinfo.com  They will give you step by step instructions on how to tear everything apart and put it back together.  If you can replace your timing belt, you can do a head swap.

You might want to check with your local machine shop at the same time and see what it would take to have your head rebuilt at the same time.
Title: Re: head gasket replacement help
Post by: rascott on September 10, 2008, 09:51:34 AM
i agree |removethispart|@ head service, since you will have it off. mine cost|removethispart|@$150.
look at all cooling system components to find out why it overheated in the first place.
bummer to do it again 'cause of a bad thermostat, marginal radiator, etc.........
sounds like you have the ability- study a manual and wrench away!
Title: Re: head gasket replacement help
Post by: Hillbillydave on September 10, 2008, 07:28:01 PM
I just recently done a head swap due to the #4 plug being spit out on my way to work. Fairly straight forward procedure. I had a Haynes manual, which aside from the torque values, was pretty much useless. I imagine that the factory service manual would be better. I left the intake and exhaust manifold on the head and removed them as one. Their are some bolts and nuts under the intake and exhaust that are MUCH easier to reach when you turn the head upside down. Got the head off one afternoon, took my replacement head to work the next day and cleaned it up, came home and put it back on.