940 head gasket without cam / belts / distributor removal ?

Vvvvvvvvvv · Post by **Vvvvvvvvvv** » 27 Sep 2020, 20:45

Hi folks !

Possible to change the 940 head gasket without cam / belts/ distributor (in head) removal ?

Hi folks ! I need to change the head gasket, it is leaking, antifreeze levels go up and down with hot and cold engine.

I have watched a few videos, and it seems like I can remove the top cover of the timing belt, after freezing the belt tensioner, remove only the top of the timing belt, remove the camshaft gear,(and intake and exhaust manifolds)
Yet avoid removing any belts completely. (Keep harmonic balancer on).

And do the belts and timing belt another day if successful.

Sound ok ?

Maybe put it in gear w E brake so timing belt Partial removal doesn’t spin anything ?

Separately I am worried about cam shaft but assume it will stay in place if I don’t unbolt it, when pulling the head ?

To say that differently, I am only interested in replacing the head gasket and maybe the cam shaft gasket and cam gasket. (And intake and exhaust manifold gasket). And not playing w anything else.

Thanks for reading !,!,

Vvvvvvvvvv · Post by **Vvvvvvvvvv** » 10 Oct 2020, 13:27

So i was able to remove the head, without removing any belts. I did loosen the water pump pulley and slide it out a little. to remove timing belt cover.

I only removed the timing belt from the cam shaft gear. all other belts stayed on (alternator accessory and water pump). did not have to remove the harmonic balancer or timing belt completely. just slid back on to camshaft.

I was able to get rid of the leak. I did not machine the head.

Vvvvvvvvvv · Post by **Vvvvvvvvvv** » 10 Oct 2020, 13:34

I did not rid myself of the engine shaking. unfortunately. via a vacuum intake reading while car is at idle. internet says i have a loose valve guide. cylinder 4 (closest to windshield) was darker, had some carbon fouling on the plug. and the exhaust port had more carbon than the other ports. I was way in over my head already and needed my memory to get the car back together, so i just cleaned gently what i could.

motor mounts and transmission mount have been replaced. a month ago. shaking is at idle in gear and in neutral. shaking is also at 2200 to 3000 rpms. It is possible i have a clogged CAT but i guess the vacuum reading could not be wrong, "pointing" to the valve guide. 21 to 18 fast fluctuation at idle.

If i pull the head again, any idea of costs for parts and machine shop labor to get the number 4 valve"s" back and working again ?

I have no smoke on start up, all i have is significant engine vibration. shakes the back windows. driver side window. and whole car. loud enough to over power the very nice factory installed stereo.

Vvvvvvvvvv · Post by **Vvvvvvvvvv** » 10 Oct 2020, 13:35

*or do i have to pull the head again ?

Vvvvvvvvvv · Post by **Vvvvvvvvvv** » 10 Oct 2020, 13:39

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Vvvvvvvvvv · Post by **Vvvvvvvvvv** » 10 Oct 2020, 13:41

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Post by **abscate** » 11 Oct 2020, 05:50

Shop charge estimate for valves and guides probably $250-300 plus parts

Do all four of course. Cleaning that block will be some time , get started now while the head in under work!

Vvvvvvvvvv · Post by **Vvvvvvvvvv** » 11 Oct 2020, 13:05

hi thanks ! i did notice with the video. that it does Not capture the fluctuation speed because of the frames per second. it is actually close to double the fluctuation that one sees in the video.

Which would point to valve guides according to the internet.

the internet also says there are valve guides only for the intake valves ? is that correct ?

also reading that sometimes the guides need to be lined ? are they replaceable and if the "guide" of an exhaust valve is bad.

anyhoo, you see where i am going, mostly $$$ based questions on as i see a rebuilt head on eBay for 500$, and debate whether the transmission will go among other things. I will ask machine shop, but if you had a minute to say If it could pretty expensive on labor if valve guides are really bad, as per needle major fluctuating.

OR.

perhaps to say Maybe it is something else ?? I didn't think i was burning fuel, nor have noticed any smoke out the exhaust on start up or at traffic lights / stop signs..

thanks for the reply abscate !!!