Head Gasket question

[adios1344]

Hello. I need to change my head gasket and I have been putting it off for about a week now. I was curious to know if I needed to do anything special, or if I could just take the block apart, put new gaskets on, then rebuild. Is it that easy? Or do I need like thermopaste s*** or something hahaha. I have never done anything with small engines, not even this on a big engine, I come from building computers. Thanks.

[devenex]

You just need to use the gaskets and follow the manuals instructions for torquing down the head bolts.

[Bear45-70]

If you are ONLY changing the head gasket, why on earth would you disassemble the engine?

Disconnect the plug wire.

Pull the cooling shroud.

Remove the 4 head bolts.

Remove head and gasket.

Install new gasket.

Reinstall the head bolts and TORQUE them to the proper torque.

Reinstall shroud.

Reconnect spark plug wire.

If you are being cautious, pull the spark plug after you remove the plug wire.

[adios1344]

If you are ONLY changing the head gasket, why on earth would you disassemble the engine?

Disconnect the plug wire.

Pull the cooling shroud.

Remove the 4 head bolts.

Remove head and gasket.

Install new gasket.

Reinstall the head bolts and TORQUE them to the proper torque.

Reinstall shroud.

Reconnect spark plug wire.

If you are being cautious, pull the spark plug after you remove the plug wire.

The guy before must have taken it mudding or something because everything is coated in a thick gunk. I have to take it all apart, it makes it near impossible to work on. Atleast that gives me something to do until I find my torque wrench.

[Bear45-70]

Ever heard of a pressure washer?

[mbilderb]

Aside from the gasket, there are other maintenance issues you will want to follow up on. While you are at it, you might as well take off the muffler, pull the cylinder and decarbon the piston and port. Check the rings and inside of the cylinder for wear, and replace/rehone as necessary. Instructions are in the manual, this is routine maintenance.

Before taking it apart though, do like bear said, and remove the shroud and pressure wash all of the gunk off of the head.

[adios1344]

Ever heard of a pressure washer?

Yeah, I've heard of a pressure washer. I don't own one.

Aside from the gasket, there are other maintenance issues you will want to follow up on. While you are at it, you might as well take off the muffler, pull the cylinder and decarbon the piston and port. Check the rings and inside of the cylinder for wear, and replace/rehone as necessary. Instructions are in the manual, this is routine maintenance.

Before taking it apart though, do like bear said, and remove the shroud and pressure wash all of the gunk off of the head.

The piston was just "rebuilt" for lack of a better word.

[Bear45-70]

Ever heard of a pressure washer?

Yeah, I've heard of a pressure washer. I don't own one.

Aside from the gasket, there are other maintenance issues you will want to follow up on. While you are at it, you might as well take off the muffler, pull the cylinder and decarbon the piston and port. Check the rings and inside of the cylinder for wear, and replace/rehone as necessary. Instructions are in the manual, this is routine maintenance.

Before taking it apart though, do like bear said, and remove the shroud and pressure wash all of the gunk off of the head.

The piston was just "rebuilt" for lack of a better word.

You don't know anyone with a pressure washer or not know where a do-it-yourself car wash is at?

[adios1344]

Ever heard of a pressure washer?

Yeah, I've heard of a pressure washer. I don't own one.

Aside from the gasket, there are other maintenance issues you will want to follow up on. While you are at it, you might as well take off the muffler, pull the cylinder and decarbon the piston and port. Check the rings and inside of the cylinder for wear, and replace/rehone as necessary. Instructions are in the manual, this is routine maintenance.

Before taking it apart though, do like bear said, and remove the shroud and pressure wash all of the gunk off of the head.

The piston was just "rebuilt" for lack of a better word.

You don't know anyone with a pressure washer or not know where a do-it-yourself car wash is at?

My neighbor has one but I rarely see him. I'm sure I can find one, or just scrape it off.

[adios1344]

Well, after looking at the existing head gasket, its fine. Oh joy. Which means our idea about the head gasket being blown wasn't true, so it could still be any number of things. FML.

[adios1344]

Just got down to the lower head gasket and found my problem I believe. Its in such terrible shape. I am trying to scrape it off, but its on there good. /:

[Bear45-70]

That "base" gasket was sealing just fine. If it wasn't there would be either a gap in it or a well oiled section.

[mbilderb]

Now that you have it apart, do yourself a favor and go through the maintenance in the manual step by step. Check the gap on the rings, the level of the mating surfaces, etc. Don't assume anything is OK until you check it.

[adios1344]

That "base" gasket was sealing just fine. If it wasn't there would be either a gap in it or a well oiled section.

The front was all torn up, it was like that before I took it out. It was ehh "gapping"? I can't think of the proper terminology.

[Bear45-70]

Any gasket stuck that hard to the surfaces was not leaking. If it was there would have been oil all over the area it was leaking.