Cylinder Head Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Suzuki Vitara. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove air carbon deposits from combustion chambers.

NOTE: Do not use any sharp-edged tool to scrape off carbon deposits. Be careful not to scuff or nick metal surfaces when removing carbon. The same applies to valves and valve seats, too.

Fig 1: Identifying Combustion Chamber Carbon Deposits

Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.

Check cylinder head for cracks on intake and exhaust ports, combustion chambers, and head surface.

Using straightedge (1) and thickness gauge (2), check flatness of gasketed surface at a total of 6 locations. If distortion limit, given below, is exceeded, correct gasketed surface with a surface plate and abrasive paper of about #400 (Waterproof silicon carbide abrasive paper): Place abrasive paper on and over surface plate, and rub gasketed surface against paper to grind off high spots. Should this fail to reduce thickness gauge readings to within limit, replace cylinder head.

Leakage of combustion gases from this gasketed joint is often due to warped gasketed surface: such leakage results in reduced power output.

Gasketed surface distortion
1. Limit: 0.05 mm (0.002 in.)
Fig 2: Checking Gasketed Surface Distortion (Cylinder Head)
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Distortion of manifold stealing faces:
Check seating faces of cylinder head for manifolds, using a straightedge (1) and thickness gauge (2), in order to determine whether these faces should be corrected or cylinder head replaced.

Manifold seating face distortion
1. Limit: 0.10 mm (0.004 in.)
Fig 3: Checking Manifold Seating Face Distortion (1 Of 2)
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.

Fig 4: Checking Manifold Seating Face Distortion (2 Of 2)
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.