Re: Head gasket (archive)

Considering the miles, it's time for timing chain guides at the very least. It's another case of "While you're in there". If I were you, I would replace my timing chain, oil pump chain, guides, chain tensioner, crank sprocket, and crank hub (with a Fahey). This would assure that the engine is good for another 100k. These are the normal parts people replace at or around 150k miles. Call it insurance more than anything, but while you are paying for labor (or spending the time to do it yourself) you might as well replace the above listed parts anyway. It's only a little more work to replace them and could thwart a problem a little farther down the road.

The next step would be to refresh the head. Take it to a good speed shop like Frank Fahey, or Metric Mechanic and have them spec the head. Although it's probably fine, they might see something you wouldn't know how to identify. But, this can get pricey fast! At the very least replace your valve seals.

Be sure it's your head gasket that is leaking. I would suspect the cam tray before the head gasket.

Ethan

Well, I don't have the compression and leakdown numbers. I just noticed the problem last week. As for the miles, it has 141k. In the service records I have (since 85k) I see no mention of anything internal being replaced. I'm going to run some dye through just to be sure where the oil is coming from. I'll keep you posted.

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