Cylinder Head and Gasket Surface Cleaning and Inspection
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Vibe. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Inspect the cylinder head gasket and mating surfaces for leaks, corrosion and blow-by. If the gasket has failed, use the following faults to determine the cause:
- Improper installation
- Loose or warped cylinder head
- Missing, off location or not fully seated dowel pins
- Corrosion in the seal area around the coolant passages
- Chips or debris in the cylinder head bolt holes
- Bolt holes in the cylinder block not drilled or tapped deep enough
- Other
- Inspect the cylinder head gasket surface.
- Cylinder head may be reused if corrosion is found only outside a 4 mm (0.375 in) band around each combustion chamber (1).
- Replace the cylinder head if the area between the valve seats is cracked (2).
- Replace the cylinder head if corrosion has been found inside a 4 mm (0.375 in) band around each combustion chamber (3).
Important: Do not use a wire brush on any gasket sealing surface.
- Clean the cylinder head. Remove all varnish, soot and carbon to the bare metal.
- Clean the valve guides.
- Clean the threaded holes. Use a nylon bristle brush.
- Clean the remains of the sealer from the plug holes.
- Replace all suspect bolts.
- Inspect the cylinder head for cracks. Check between the valve seats and in the exhaust ports.
Important: Do not attempt to weld the cylinder head, replace it.
- Inspect the cylinder head deck for corrosion, sand inclusions and blow holes.
- Inspect the cylinder head deck surface for flatness.
Maximum Cylinder Head Deck Warpage
Maximum Warpage: 0.2 mm (0.008 in)
- If the warpage is greater than the maximum allowed, replace the cylinder head.
- Inspect all the threaded holes for damage. Threads may be reconditioned with thread inserts.
- Inspect the sealing surfaces.
- Inspect the cylinder head intake surface for flatness.
Maximum Cylinder Head Intake Surface Warpage
Maximum Warpage: 0.2 mm (0.008 in)
- If the warpage is greater than the maximum allowed, replace the cylinder head.
- Inspect all the threaded holes for damage. Threads may be reconditioned with thread inserts.
- Inspect the sealing surfaces.
- Inspect the cylinder head exhaust surface for flatness.
Maximum Cylinder Head Exhaust Surface Warpage
Maximum Warpage: 0.3 mm (0.012 in)
- If the warpage is greater than the maximum allowed, replace the cylinder head.
- Inspect all the threaded holes for damage. Threads may be reconditioned with thread inserts.
- Inspect the sealing surfaces.