I have determined that I blew my headgasket 2 days ago because of a fluke that occured in which my lower radiator hose came off while driving down the interstate, draining my radiator, and causing my car to overheat almost instantly. My S failed to start after having shut it down, reattaching the hose, and putting more coolant in. I am assuming this is because there is coolant in the combustion chamber and will not allow it to fire. If anyone Has a diagram or step by step instructions for replacing a head gasket I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

 

is there coolant in the engine oil too?

 

Combustion chamber/engine. Yes. That is the assumption as to why it wont start. the coolant in the chamber wont allow the spark plugs to fire correctly, thus I have no spark essentially. I assume that If anything I will have to replace the head gasket, and Mill the head, but not the block? Does that sound correct to anyone?

 

That sounds correct, sometimes if you didnt overheat too long you dont even have to mill the head. But on the other hand some times you have to replace the head alltogether because of how warped it gets. However I STRONGLY suggest you test your coolant for emission gas before you go about replacing the head. This will ensure your headgasket is bad and not something else. Just because you overheat does not mean that you blew that gasket.

 

Well, it overheated for about a total of 2 miles before i shut it down, i know, bad move on my part. Doesn't it mean that there has to be a headgasket problem if there is coolant in the combustion chamber, what else would cause such a thing?

 

Cracked head could cause it.

 

lets take a few steps back here for a minute.

1) you were driving down the highway and your radiator hose came off.
2) engine over heated due to lack of coolant (blown rad hose)
3) you turned off the engine yourself. it didnt shutdown by itself correct?
4) you tried to restart it but it would not fire up.
5) you have not done any diagnostic and only assume that the cylinders are wet and not allowing the spark plugs to fire

is this correct in chronological order?

if so.....

1) pull and inspect spark plugs. in fact, don't bother to inspect. toss them. you should replace plugs after an overheat anyways.

2) perform compression and leakdown test. if test results are within spec/acceptable for engine age and mileage, change oil and plugs. start engine. (obviously refill coolant and address hose blow off issue)

3) drive and keep an eye/ear open for any further issues.


4) if compression/leak down results are bad, then you may have a blown head gasket.

 

Thank you Very much, I have torn the engine down, it is definitely a blown head gasket, my question is does anyone know a good way to keep tension on the lower timing gears so that i dont have to take the lower cover plate off, re-align gears at TDC, etc etc? also, the last time i had the engine out I accidentally tried to remove the head with the timing chain and gear still on and ended up having to cut it off, how do you take that gear off, keep tension on it, and avoid slipping gears?