Re: 2002 Smoke (archive)

First, smoking on deceleration is very common on 2002's with over 100,000 miles on the head and is a result of the valve wear. It can be tolerated for quite a while. Depending on how bad it is, it is not necessarily an "urgent" repair. However, sooner or a little later, you are going to need some valve repair and natuarally that is a great time to have the entire head rebuilt.

Removing and replacing the head is something that is pretty straightforward if you have a manual. Yes, you have to deal with the timing chain, but only to the extent that you need to loosen it to pull the head. The manual (even Haynes) explains this fairly well.

One way or the other, you will most likely need to take your head in to a machine shop to be resurfaced before your put it back. If you don't feel super mechanical or have a friend who has experience doing a valve job, you might want to have this done by a professional. There is a lot to it.

But removing and replacing a head is something most can do and you will save a lot of $$ doing this part yourself. Most mechanics send the head off to a machine shop for a valve job anyway.

1. Get a manual.
2. Find a good machine shop and talk to them.

Cameron

1973 2002 Verona

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