Can I repair the head gasket with the engine in place? 2.4L

[crazymac680]

2002 2.4ltr

Hi. Unfortunately my head gasket has gone. I had a coolant leak and the temp went up. I was pretty certain that I noticed early but I can't be certain that it didn't overheat the day before when the wife was driving.

Has anyone managed to fix the head gasket without removing the engine? The facebook group thinks I'm better to replace the engine but that seems extreme to me. 

Thanks for any advice

Edited November 26 by crazymac680
Missed an important detail

[dezufo]

As it is an inline 4 it is possible to do it in-situ, however it is advisable to have the head skimmed to ensure it has not warped so search for a place local to you that can do that

[crazymac680]

Thanks for that. I thought that would be the case. I've got a great place for doing the skim so that will be an easy bit. Anything else you would recommend I do while I'm there?  I'm thinking chain tensioner? Maybe I'll put a new radiator and hoses in too. 

Thanks 

[dezufo]

1 hour ago, crazymac680 said:

Thanks for that. I thought that would be the case. I've got a great place for doing the skim so that will be an easy bit. Anything else you would recommend I do while I'm there?  I'm thinking chain tensioner? Maybe I'll put a new radiator and hoses in too. 

Thanks 

Tensioner should not need doing unless a very high mileage, if your rad has the plastic side panels they can crack due to age and heat but you can get radiators with metal sides on ebay, new hoses is agood idea, also towards the back there are 2 T joints that take the coolant into the heater matrix, they are made of plastic and can get brittle due to the heat/age some people, my self included, fit brass T pieces, 19mm, again on ebay, the link will be helpful for any part numbers you might need for other bits, once you have a part number you can use it as a cross reference or ask a toyota dealer to get it or even get it through the link  amayama.com

[Picasso]

Need to change head bolts as they are stretch bolts and can only be used once 

[crazymac680]

17 minutes ago, Picasso said:

Need to change head bolts as they are stretch bolts and can only be used once 

Yes thats right. I'm seeing them on autodoc for £35. 

Thanks

[Gamith]

If you are effectively taking the engine to pieces then maybe:

  the water pump (someone is selling one on here),

  flush out any gunge in the oil pan at the bottom,

  check maintenance schedule for anything associated

  any other gaskets or seals.

umm there's probably other items.

 

Oh, and as far as doing a head gasket change in situ I suspect with the 2.4 it should be possible, though if you have access to a winch, lots of room, time, and a few extra hands it would make it a simpler task to remove the engine first.

Edited November 26 by Gamith

[crazymac680]

36 minutes ago, Gamith said:

If you are effectively taking the engine to pieces then maybe:

  the water pump (someone is selling one on here),

  flush out any gunge in the oil pan at the bottom,

  check maintenance schedule for anything associated

  any other gaskets or seals.

umm there's probably other items.

 

Yes that was a thought I had too. Waterpumps on autodoc from only £18-£50. I'd be as well changing it for piece of mind. A radiator. Belt. Head gasket kit. Stretch bolts. Thermostat. It's adding up but it's all pretty cheap. 

Thanks

[Gamith]

On the same wavelength - the car will be out of action for x time, with greater access (than normal) to a lot of kit that will mostly be what 22 years old? it makes sense to do as many extra jobs that would be needed sooner or later anyway.

Also if you are spending £n on the engine gasket a few more £ now is still better than having to do a lot of the same work again.

[Picasso]

If you want to pm me your reg no. I could give you all the part no.s you need and will be able to point you in the right direction for the parts