You may be surprised at how easy a cylinder head replacement can be. If you know the basics of auto parts and the cylinder, you can also do it. This blog post teaches how to fix a damaged cylinder head. To begin with, let us understand what can cause a cylinder head to be damaged and why it may be required to be changed.
Reasons For Cylinder Head Replacement
A cylinder head that has cracked can be welded, but if it is warped, it can be resurfaced. You can also fill voids with sealing material. However, cylinders that have been fixed do not last for a long time. They need to keep going in for repairs. This mostly happens when there is a cracked cylinder head and it does not work.
-Lifespan has ended: Aluminum cylinder heads last for about five years, while cast iron ones can last a bit longer. Apart from the material, letting the engine overheat can also cause irreversible damage to it, which could lead to a cylinder head replacement.
-Previous resurfacing: There is a limit to the number of times you can replace a damaged cylinder. Every time you put it through the repair procedures, layers of the machine keep coming off. If you do it too many times, you will eventually have to go in for an engine head replacement.
-Extreme cracking: You can easily fix cracks in cylinder heads by welding them. A cylinder head replacement can be the only alternative if they are too big.
-Excessive warping: If you badly warp a cylinder head, its surface cannot be machined. You will then have to think of a replacement cylinder head.
Cylinder Head Replacement Procedure
If the part is beyond repair, there is no point in thinking about how to fix the cracked head. It is better to have it replaced. To do so, you will require a wench set, socket set, ratchet, some new oil, screwdrivers, coolant, rags, and a new cylinder head.
Part 1: Removing the cylinder head
Drain the oil and coolant.
You need to remove the screw on the drain cap of the radiator to let the coolant out of the system. Then, take off the oil pan's drain plug and remove the oil from the inside.
Remove the exhaust manifolds and engine intake.
Next, you will have to deconstruct the exhaust manifolds and the intake of the engine. You can use a wrench or ratchet to keep them separate from the cylinder head. You will also have to take off the valve covers, and you can use the socket and ratchet for this. Then you take off the timing belt.
Detach the rocker's arm.
Next, take off the rocker's arm. If the engine utilizes two heads, remove the two rocker arms.
Take off the old cylinder head.
Take off the mounting bolts after you remove the right cylinder head bolt sequence. The sequence information can be found in the car's manual.
The final step of this part is to remove the old head from the engine housing and then use a screwdriver to make the edges loose.
With this, the first part of the cylinder head replacement is done.
Part 2: Begin with the cylinder head replacements
If you are thinking about how hard it is to replace a head gasket, you just need to know how to mount the new head and replace the bolts used for mounting it. Carefully go through the manufacturing specifics for the bolt torquing and the sequence.
-Replace the components
Put up the other parts after the order. You can remove the timing belt, valve covers, intake and exhaust manifolds, rocker arm, etc.
-Refill the oil and coolant.
Lastly, using the 1:1 ratio, replace the coolant with water and start anti-freezing. Then add the suitable oil to the oil pan.
You can implement the steps in these two parts for your replacement cylinder heads.
Head Gasket Replacement
Before you think of the cost of cylinder head replacement, check if the head gasket is blown. You might have to replace that as well. The symptoms of a blown gasket are:
-Formation of air bubbles within the radiator even after bleeding it
-Quick overheating of the engine
-The radiator blowing out the coolant because of the excess pressure in the system
-Coolant and engine oil mixing
-White smoke emanating from the exhaust
If your vehicle is facing any of these issues, you may have the question in mind, How to replace a head gasket? The procedure is not intensive. To replace the gasket, follow the same procedure as the cylinder heads to the point where you get access to the gasket. You then have to remove it and put in a new one.
Now that we have covered the cylinder head replacement as well as the replacement of the head gasket, here's a look at some of the frequently asked questions.
Cylinder Head Replacement Questions
1) What is the cylinder replacement cost?
The cylinder head replacement cost comes up to around $500, including installation charges. If you want to replace the head yourself, it will cost you around $300 just to purchase the cylinder head.
2) How long does it take to replace a gasket?
If the part is cracked or broken, the first thought that is likely to come to mind is, How long does it take to replace a head gasket?. This depends on whether you are doing this for yourself or if a professional at a repair shop is doing it for you. Cylinder head replacement as a DIY project can take many hours.
3) How do you remove a stuck cylinder head?
You need to use a breaker bar to increase the pressure while unbolting the cylinder head. You can also use penetrating fluid that will loosen the bolts. After getting the bolts out, put a screwdriver between the cylinder block and the head. Lift it with force at a slow pace to open the space between the two components.
4) How hard is it to replace a head gasket?
Replacing the gasket's head can be a tedious procedure. You have to remove various components to replace them. If the gasket has suffered damage, then it is likely that more parts will need repairs.
5) How do I fix a cracked head?
You can have the repair shop look at it head first to determine if it needs fixing or repairs. However, the latter option is the most convenient.
6) Does a fairly new cylinder head need replacing?
It is highly unlikely that you will have to do a cylinder head replacement with a fairly new one.
7) When should I replace a cylinder head?
When the lifespan of your cylinder head has come to an end or is nearing its end, it is time to replace it. Also, if it is damaged or cracked, it is better to get it replaced than repaired because a worn-out cylinder head would need constant repairs.
8) How much does it cost to replace a cylinder head gasket?
It depends on the type of car or engine as well as your locality. Replacing a head gasket can cost up to $1,000. While the gasket's price might not be much, it takes time and labor to replace it, which comes at a cost.
Conclusion
It is possible to repair a damaged cylinder head. However, if it is fixed once, it is likely that it will require constant repairs thereafter. This does not just reduce the quality of the cylinder head but also eventually adds up to more expenditure than buying a brand-new one. You can check out the cylinder heads at Allied Motor Parts if you are looking to buy a new one. You can also try our remanufactured cylinder heads. All our products are competitively priced. We offer the best rates in the market with great product quality.
