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[nixoro]

Anyone got any ideas on how to do a HG change on a 2.0

How do you do grinding of the valves etc

I haven't yet had a compression test done but I'm sure its this.

Car pushes out plumes of white smoke on cold start and i keep having to top the coolant bottle up.

Car also shakes until the revs & idle evens out.

Checked all the necessaries

Currently there are no signs of oil in the water or gunge on the dipstick/oil filler cap

looking to do the job over the xmas period if I can get the parts in time.

All help would be gratefully received

[nixoro]

Are there any guides available so I can see what I'm letting myself in for

[Auto Addict]

Anyone?

[JamesV6CDX]

I'll sort something out shortly.....

[Marks DTM Calib]

If you could get the head to me with some stem seals (they come in the headgasket kit) I would gladly re-build it for you.

[Kevin Wood]

I know James did a head off job on the veccy and included plenty of pictures and the like. Have a trawl.

It's not a necessity to disturb the valves if you want to do a quick job. However, If it were me and the engine was on 100,000+ I would probably take each valve out and lap it back into the seat to ensure a good seal, and fit a new stem seal (included in a head gasket set 99% of the time). Just need a valve spring compressor (with a long reach), some valve grinding paste and a stick with a sucker on the end. I have these if you want to borrow them.

I might be inclined to clean out the hydraulic followers as they'll be coming out... See Mark's HOWTO.

The head probably won't need a skim, as you've caught it in time. Make sure the mating faces of head and block are spotless before assembly, though. Not sure what the best policy is on re-use of head bolts on this engine. Often a head gasket set will include new bolts anyway and they are normally streatch bolts these days so new bolts is a safer option.

In light of common problems, it might be worth checking the exhaust manifold for cracks and fitting a new gasket and studs, with a little copperslip, whilst the head's off.

But before that, make sure it really is the head gasket. If it runs on all 4, a compression test probably won't be conclusive. Get a garage to check for exhaust gases in the expansion tank.

Kevin

[magnul]

The job is fairly well described in Haynes (well how would I know, haven't done it myself).
Once the head is off, I think it's a good idea to skim it, change valve stem seals and exhaust manifold bolts (if they haven't snapped yet, they will...). I was pretty sure that common consensus says that the head bolts have to be changed.