Advice . . . head gasket, belt etc

  1. L-plater Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 33
    #1
    got a few days off work so am going to do the head gasket on my car tomorrow and get the head skimmed while its off.

    got a timing belt kit and water pump for it, was just wondering if there is anything i should watch out for? or any advice?

    cheers

    mark
  2. Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R
    #2
    buy a haynes manual !! the first time I did a headgasket followed this pretty much word for word and it all went fine!!

    Now can do them fairly quick - nothing really to catch you out tbh - just make sure the mating surfaces of the head and the bottom end are smooth, and that everything is torqued up okay and tensioned good.

    Apart from that, take your time, and ask on here if you're not sure, I think there might be a guide for doing it on here, worth a search!
  3. Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 324 mk2 8valve
    #3
    yeah before it comes to starting it after all the work is done a good check over make sure everything is tight and in its place plus dont do what my thick friend done and leave the timing pins in th crankshaft and top cam pulley and try starting the car woops more problems....
  4. L-plater Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 33
    #4
    got the timing locking tools and auto data (not looked at it yet), where is it you lock the crackshaft up? is it in the pulley or flywheel end?
  5. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2008 BEDFORD, GUILDFORD, WAYBRIDGE Posts: 4172 Punt -y0
    #5
    What is Head Skimmed?

    I'm guessing its when you scrape off all the old gasket thats stuck to the old head and clean it up so its like new?
  6. Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 324 mk2 8valve
    #6
    its the flywheel end a 5mm hole that locks th crankshaft look on th front of the engine gearbox end and there should either be a cap or just a hole thats it line up the timing marks and slot a 5mm allan key into th hole look in the haynes it will tell you exactly where it is with a picture...
  7. Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R
    #7
    you'll be fine - is always good to turn the engine over by hand before you start it up to make sure you're close with the timing !
  8. L-plater Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 33
    #8
    skimmed is gettin the head sent to a machine shop and they skim it totally flat, usually done if the head is warpped due to overheating, mine aint but just getting it done while its off.

    yeah always turn the engine over by hand when am finished doing a timing belt to ensure it aint set up wrong.

    how long does it take roughly to take the head off?
  9. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2007 Birmingham, West Midlands Posts: 704 Saxo Vts
    #9
    if you know your way around engines chap you could probly have it off within an hour or so
    but take your time if its the first time you have ever took a head off
  10. L-plater Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 33
    #10
    2hours and the head was stripped bare reasdy to get skimmed.

    will get the head back 2moro morning and i will refit the valves etc
  11. Newbie Joined: Feb 2009 Rugby/Warwicks Posts: 6 Saxo 1.5D Mk1
    #11
    How have you done? My head gasket went, so i paid £35 for a new gasket(1.5D).
    Got home looked at the Haynes bible, started got as far as emptying the coolant, shat my pants then after getting some quotes for £400 phoned the garage i bought the car from as i had only had the car 2 month, came to a deal where he is getting it done for £200.
    So would like to know how you got on as i couldn't figure out how to lock the timing, loosen the pulley, basically any of it.
    I admit it i am shite at mechanics !!
  12. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2004 Cambs Posts: 630 Vts track car
    #12
    If your getting head skimmed be aware that you may need to use repair gasket as opposed to a standard item.

    Otherwise comp ratio may be affected.