Hello everyone! I have been searching for over an hour and probably just missed it but I am looking for a write up or some sort of page that will give me some ideas on changing a head gasket on a 2002 V6 camaro. I am new so take it easy on me! :-) Thanks

 

The best thing you can do is go to a auto parts store and pay about $25 for a repair manual. It will give you a step by step process and a list of tools recommended to do the job. To much detail to wirte up but just a brief overview

1. Take a few pics before you start so you will have reference where everything goes ahd how it is routed.
2. block rear wheels, raise car and unbolt the y pipe from exhaust manifolds.
3. remove the wiring harness from the fuel injectors and top of motor
4. remove the coil packs and their mount
5. disconnect fuel lines and remove fuel rails. Disconnect the throttle linkage.
6. remove alt, upper and lower intake
7. remove valve covers and exhaust manifolds.
8. loosen rocker arms and remove the push rods. If reusing, make sure you know which goes where and put back in the same place.
8. unbolt heads in reverse of torque pattern 1/4 turn until the bolts can be turned by hand. Remove bolts and lift head out.

Always use new head bolts and sealant on the threads when replacing. These bolts are torque to yield so you will need a angle torque tool to complete the process.

On the upper intake manifold,(plenum) you will need to completely remove the thermo housing. ONe of the bolts for that piece actually holds down the front of the plenum.

 

Sure sounds easy. As I was read it somewhere around step 6 or 7 I got a shooting pain in my back and one my knuckles started to bleed. Weird

 

LOL at Gorn!

 

X2 at gorn..lol

 

I am having to do the same due to a gasket leak. Probable head. While I am there should I replace, rockers, push rods, rings ?? I am getting a milk slush on my oil cap

 

You may be just seeing condensation in your oil cap. Are you loosing coolant? Is the oil on the dipstick milky or are you seeing alot of white smoke come from the tail pipe? I didn't do anything except get the heads surfaced and checked at the machine shop, replaced head gaskets and head bolts. If you reuse the rockers and push rods, make sure you put them back in the same place you removed the from. Rings, That would require you removing the oil pan. Are you doing this with engine in the car or is it out?

 

My coolant issues. We presure tested the radiator yesterday and found coolant level kept going down. Losing coolant previously what got my concern, having to put about a liter a week in radiator. Water pump, serpertine belt, ECS, radiator cap, tstat are all new. Upon test yesterday, mechanic before starting turned the motor manually then took out the fuel pump fuse. Turned over the motor couple times. Then fired it up. Motor sluggish and white smoke coming out. He told me to bring it back for a presure test on heads. So there you have it. I am just thinking while the heads are off....

 

Ok, cool. Hopefully it is just a gasket and not a cracked head. Depending on the miles on your engine or if you have ever noticed a ticking noise, you might consider replacing the lifters while you are in there and also the little black "L" shaped plastic bypass hose that come out of the intake manifold.

 

I did hear a knocking sound towards the front. Defiantly I will research that hose you are talking about see where it is. You have new friend...