hi all, i just bought a 90 cav with the 2.2 tbi. the guy i bought it from supposedly had the motor rebuilt like a month ago and then supposedly drove it for 2 weeks after till the radiator blew. well i dont think he had much done to it because i had problems getting it home. i had to replace the thermostat before i could even get 5 minutes from his house. and then on the way home i stopped for gas and then it wouldnt start. apparently 3 of my headbolts were loose. so i tightened them and got the car home. i have driven it for a couple of days and now am replacing the head gasket. i started taking it apart but had to stop till i can run to the parts store for a socket. i got my gaskets from napa and am going to have them shave the head for me as well. i know i need to use new bolts when i reinstall the head.
i put a new muffler under the car and when i was under it noticed that the fuel filter hadnt been removed in who knows how long.
and when i was dismantling what i could on the motor, a suprising amount of things were looser than they should have been. so whatever was done to this motor, i really dont know. if was professionally rebuilt they would have used a new thermostat and also replaced the fuel filter. i know this from apprenticing at a shop last summer. however i dont know much about these motors.
what all should i keep an eye out for as i am pulling my head off? i wanna make sure that i wont have any other problems. i havent noticed any leaks from the motor, other than the fact that it runs on a mix of fuel and coolant (hence the gasket replacement).
i just want to be thorough.
thanks for any advice
Who have work on your car is often the difference between "Hey sweet car!" and "Parts for sale!". Choose your mechanic carefully.
bump...... need some advice, i know theres lots of people reading these posts.
Who have work on your car is often the difference between "Hey sweet car!" and "Parts for sale!". Choose your mechanic carefully.
I haven't done a head gasket on that particular engine but replaced it one on my 22RE in my Toyota pickup. Just take your time and label or take pictures of lines, etc so you can get everything back together correctly. Also when putting it back together, be sure to get torque specs, or you will have the problems you are encountering. Good idea getting the head milled. Might also have them take a look at the valves. So the bottom end is in good shape? Your rod bearings could be going out from having coolant in the oil.
Sounds like the rebuilder in this case didn't have a clue if the rebuild only lasted a month.
Rob
Sold 2/2/05
to be honest, there doesnt seem to be any coolant in the oil. it was just burning a bunch with the fuel. i am gonna do an oil change anyway, use synthetic. i am also planning on completely flushing out the coolant hoses, and radiator and heater core too.
Who have work on your car is often the difference between "Hey sweet car!" and "Parts for sale!". Choose your mechanic carefully.
