Replacing leaking head gaskets - what does my mechanic need to cover?
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 40
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From: Atlanta, GA
Replacing leaking head gaskets - what does my mechanic need to cover?
My head gaskets are leaking and the Rover Repair Shop in Norcross, GA is going to do the repair. I'm hoping that I can get some expert advice on what to have done other than replacing the gaskets.
My '04 Discovery has 89k miles and has never had a major service. The ignition wires were replaced earlier this year. What parts do I need to make sure get replaced, and do I need to specify any particular brands? Valve stem seals? Machine the heads?
My appointment at the shop is Thursday, and I want to be prepared when I show up. This kind of repair is way over my head. Many thanks in advance for your help!
My '04 Discovery has 89k miles and has never had a major service. The ignition wires were replaced earlier this year. What parts do I need to make sure get replaced, and do I need to specify any particular brands? Valve stem seals? Machine the heads?
My appointment at the shop is Thursday, and I want to be prepared when I show up. This kind of repair is way over my head. Many thanks in advance for your help!
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16,322
Likes: 88
From: Savannah Georgia
Valve stem seals should be done while heads are off. They need to check heads for "flatness" and have machine shop work them if needed. In some cases the mechanic outsources the heads to the machine shop, and they plane if needed and do the valve stem seals, clean up valves, etc. They come back looking great. Mechanic SHOULD know that the head bolts are stretch type so he will need new bolts. The flatness / shaving is to remove any warpage.
About time for a water pump, will probably just add the part and about 1 hour of time. Replace gasket for throttle body heater (warm water from engine goes in/out). Flush radiator, new coolant, new thermostat, new hoses, new serpantine belt. While these things may not have failed at this point, you simply reset them to showroom condition and worry about traffic on I-85.
How was it determined that or where they are leaking?
I used to live in that area, back when Indian Trail was a dirt road from the expressway to Lilburn..... my how things have changed.
About time for a water pump, will probably just add the part and about 1 hour of time. Replace gasket for throttle body heater (warm water from engine goes in/out). Flush radiator, new coolant, new thermostat, new hoses, new serpantine belt. While these things may not have failed at this point, you simply reset them to showroom condition and worry about traffic on I-85.
How was it determined that or where they are leaking?
I used to live in that area, back when Indian Trail was a dirt road from the expressway to Lilburn..... my how things have changed.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 40
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From: Atlanta, GA
Thanks for the input, Buzz. It's been leaking coolant for months now, and seems to be progressing. I haven't allowed it to overheat, but I couldn't find a source for the leak so I took it to LR Gwinnett (used to work there) and was told that both head gaskets were leaking.
I moved to ATL in '85 when Pleasant Hill was a 2-laner from Stone Mountain to Gwinnett Mall. My wife grew up in Gwinnett and told me stories about Indian Trail being a dirt road, too. Now it's 4+1 lanes, and my office is a few blocks from there.
I moved to ATL in '85 when Pleasant Hill was a 2-laner from Stone Mountain to Gwinnett Mall. My wife grew up in Gwinnett and told me stories about Indian Trail being a dirt road, too. Now it's 4+1 lanes, and my office is a few blocks from there.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: SC
Still working?
[QUOTE=Savannah Buzz;269129]Valve stem seals should be done while heads are off. They need to check heads for "flatness" and have machine shop work them if needed. In some cases the mechanic outsources the heads to the machine shop, and they plane if needed and do the valve stem seals, clean up valves, etc. They come back looking great. Mechanic SHOULD know that the head bolts are stretch type so he will need new bolts. The flatness / shaving is to remove any warpage.
About time for a water pump, will probably just add the part and about 1 hour of time. Replace gasket for throttle body heater (warm water from engine goes in/out). Flush radiator, new coolant, new thermostat, new hoses, new serpantine belt. While these things may not have failed at this point, you simply reset them to showroom condition and worry about traffic on I-85.
How was it determined that or where they are leaking?
I used to live in that area, back when Indian Trail was a dirt road from the expressway to Lilburn..... my how things have changed.[/QUOT
Im in SC and want to ask if you're still working. I need someone knowledgeable to fix my 2010 RR sport SC. I was told I need valve cover gasket, and that's all they said they're repairing. I was told after replacing shocks and brakes but not told after oil change 2 months ago, that it was leaking...
About time for a water pump, will probably just add the part and about 1 hour of time. Replace gasket for throttle body heater (warm water from engine goes in/out). Flush radiator, new coolant, new thermostat, new hoses, new serpantine belt. While these things may not have failed at this point, you simply reset them to showroom condition and worry about traffic on I-85.
How was it determined that or where they are leaking?
I used to live in that area, back when Indian Trail was a dirt road from the expressway to Lilburn..... my how things have changed.[/QUOT
Im in SC and want to ask if you're still working. I need someone knowledgeable to fix my 2010 RR sport SC. I was told I need valve cover gasket, and that's all they said they're repairing. I was told after replacing shocks and brakes but not told after oil change 2 months ago, that it was leaking...
[QUOTE=Belchergirl2;900501]
If you are west of Columbia in SC suggest you take it to Eurover in Greenville.
Valve stem seals should be done while heads are off. They need to check heads for "flatness" and have machine shop work them if needed. In some cases the mechanic outsources the heads to the machine shop, and they plane if needed and do the valve stem seals, clean up valves, etc. They come back looking great. Mechanic SHOULD know that the head bolts are stretch type so he will need new bolts. The flatness / shaving is to remove any warpage.
About time for a water pump, will probably just add the part and about 1 hour of time. Replace gasket for throttle body heater (warm water from engine goes in/out). Flush radiator, new coolant, new thermostat, new hoses, new serpantine belt. While these things may not have failed at this point, you simply reset them to showroom condition and worry about traffic on I-85.
How was it determined that or where they are leaking?
I used to live in that area, back when Indian Trail was a dirt road from the expressway to Lilburn..... my how things have changed.[/QUOT
Im in SC and want to ask if you're still working. I need someone knowledgeable to fix my 2010 RR sport SC. I was told I need valve cover gasket, and that's all they said they're repairing. I was told after replacing shocks and brakes but not told after oil change 2 months ago, that it was leaking...
About time for a water pump, will probably just add the part and about 1 hour of time. Replace gasket for throttle body heater (warm water from engine goes in/out). Flush radiator, new coolant, new thermostat, new hoses, new serpantine belt. While these things may not have failed at this point, you simply reset them to showroom condition and worry about traffic on I-85.
How was it determined that or where they are leaking?
I used to live in that area, back when Indian Trail was a dirt road from the expressway to Lilburn..... my how things have changed.[/QUOT
Im in SC and want to ask if you're still working. I need someone knowledgeable to fix my 2010 RR sport SC. I was told I need valve cover gasket, and that's all they said they're repairing. I was told after replacing shocks and brakes but not told after oil change 2 months ago, that it was leaking...
