Head Gasket Problems

[Reza Taheri]

 

 

[Reza Taheri]

 

 

 

 

🤬🤬🤬🤬

[slowbert]

No need for all the profanity.  It is just a car...and it isn't that big a deal to torque a few bolts. 

 

If you are frustrated now, just wait...

 

I can't see if the cam is lined up with the registration mark or if the crank is at TDC.  If it is off just a bit, try rotating the crank a bit until you get the gear to pop into place.  Then check the cam and crank registration marks to make sure they are aligned.  You may have to move the chain one tooth on the gear to get the marks aligned.

 

If the registration marks are way out of alignment (more than a couple gear teeth), I would pop the head off, put everything back in alignment, and reassemble.

 

If the cam and crank are not correctly aligned, you will chase problems forever, causing additional (and unwarranted) profanity.

[jimk]

The No 1 intake lobe is just coming into opening the valve and the cam is not yet turned to TDC.  Both intake and exhaust lobes should be basically down to see the registration mark on the cam hub to be at the top center.

Edited August 20, 2023 by jimk

[Son of Marty]

Pull the cam gear back and put 2 bolts in diagonally, with a large screw driver shaft laid flat across the bolts rotate the cam, STOP if you feel it hit anything, it'll be a piston and you'll need to turn the crank one way or the other until the valve is past the obstruction, then set everything back to TDC and bolt the cam gear on.

Edited August 20, 2023 by Son of Marty

[Reza Taheri]

🤞

 

 

[Mark92131]

Like others have said, your #1 piston needs to be at TDC.  You verify this by lining up the "OT" line on the flywheel in the viewing hole at the back of the block.  You can also verify this with the TDC notch on the crank pulley pulley at the front of the engine.  Then you need to position your cam to TDC by turning it using the method explained by @Son of Marty until the notch/line on the front of the cam is lined up with the oil bar on the head.  Then you reinstall the timing chain sprocket on the cam.  If you have maintained the sprocket position on the timing chain, the holes should line up with the bolt holes on the cam.  Otherwise, you may need to adjust the sprocket position on the chain to get them to line up.  This is not usually a profanity inducing task on the 2002, plenty of others in that category, (brake linkage "bitch clip", etc.) 😉

 

Mark92131

[Reza Taheri]

Everyone can rest easy, I don't kiss my mother with this mouth. She died a very long time ago 

 

I was able to scrape off most of the non hardening gasket stuff with a plastic razor blade

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by Reza Taheri
Adding media

[Preyupy]

On 8/19/2023 at 4:32 PM, kbmb02 said:

 

You'll likely be seeing a comment from @Preyupy here shortly regarding the importance of a seriously-smooth surface on both the block and head in order for an MLS gasket to seal properly.... -KB

LOL Ken,  yes that block does not look smooth enough for a MLS Gasket to seal properly. They are not capable of conforming to a rough surface and will just sit on the high spots (in all honesty it does not look like that block is smooth enough for even a stock gasket to survive very long).  It’s hard to tell just by the pictures but if you can feel any roughness running your fingernail over the surface, ITS NOT SMOOTH ENOUGH.  

[OldRoller]

1 hour ago, Preyupy said:

LOL Ken,  yes that block does not look smooth enough for a MLS Gasket to seal properly. They are not capable of conforming to a rough surface and will just sit on the high spots (in all honesty it does not look like that block is smooth enough for even a stock gasket to survive very long).  It’s hard to tell just by the pictures but if you can feel any roughness running your fingernail over the surface, ITS NOT SMOOTH ENOUGH.  

A stock gasket, as noted, would be the way to go, and spray the gasket both sides with copper coat. Three stage torque sequence. As also noted before, remove the chain tensioner/spring/cap to relieve chain tension on the gear when assembling. 

[TobyB]

...dear Lord what is that thing?

 

It ain't gonna seal on that flycut block...

 

t

 

that looks like a gasket from an E46 front cover.   Even the E46 doesn't use that sorta

stuff as a head gasket...

 

 

[tech71]

On 8/22/2023 at 10:20 AM, TobyB said:

...dear Lord what is that thing?

 

It ain't gonna seal on that flycut block...

 

 Right, that looks wrong, doesn't look like Hi Pro multi layer metal head gasket for an M10 which you dont need anyway.

MLS Head gasket?

Get rid of that thing and buy a  correct head gasket for a 2002.

Felpro makes one

Edited August 23, 2023 by tech71

[OldRoller]

Multi Layer Steel gasket...  designed for better sealing for correctly prepared  head/block surfaces, on higher compression and high performance engines.

[TobyB]

....I see only one layer...

 

t

doesn't even try with the MLS on the M10 race motor.

[Preyupy]

I don't have any problem with the MLS gasket even on a low compression engine. I have been using them for years on race engines (12.5-13.5:1 CR)   You just need to know that head and block surface finish is CRITICAL.  The stock head gaskets from the various manufacturers are more than adequate for a street engine with a 10.5:1 compression ratio.