head gasket

njb · Post by **njb** » 10 Aug 2010, 13:35

I am about to replace the head gasket but have noticed pink staining in the cyl head and on the cams - it scrapes off with a fingernail.
I guess this is burnt on coolant.
Will this have damaged any bearings or cylinder bores and will it gradually wear off with an oil change and use??

Any help appreciated.

rjaywhit · Post by **rjaywhit** » 10 Aug 2010, 14:00

The pink stuff is most likely the gasket material that seals the cam cover to the head.

If you are taking the head and cam cover to a machine shop they will clean everything up.

Otherwise I put the cam cover in a big bucket of hot water and Zep Orange Citrus cleaner and scrubbed it with a stiff plastic bristle brush.

Take care to cover the cylinders and openings in the block to prevent any crap from getting in.

njb · Post by **njb** » 10 Aug 2010, 14:12

The pink stain/varnish is all over the internals - I guess when my mech. gets the head off we will see if it is in the cylinders.
Anyone else had/seen this problem?

njb · Post by **njb** » 12 Aug 2010, 22:42

woo hoo!
Turned out I had a bad fuel pressure regulator and not a head gasket leak.
Similar symptoms but a compression test proved OK.
Car starting and running great!

Post by **billofdurham** » 18 Aug 2010, 12:31

That didn't cost as much as a head gasket. Thank you for the update.

Bill.