- Head gasket set (includes head gasket, head bolts, and other necessary gaskets)
- Oil pan gasket
- Timing belt and water pump (recommended to replace when changing the head gasket)
- Threadlocker
- Torx socket set (various sizes)
- Allen wrench set
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Hammer
- Gasket scraper
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Antifreeze
- Oil
- Coolant
Instructions:
1. Park the car on a level surface and turn off the engine. Allow the engine to cool down completely before starting work.
2. Drain the coolant from the engine by removing the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. Allow all of the coolant to drain out.
2. Remove the timing belt cover and crankshaft pulley bolt. Loosen the timing belt tensioner and remove the timing belt.
3. Remove the valve cover and spark plugs.
4. Loosen the head bolts in reverse order (from the inside out). Do not remove the head bolts completely yet.
5. Use a hammer and flat-blade screwdriver to break the seal between the head and the block. Be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.
6. Once the head is loose, carefully lift it off of the block.
7. Clean the mating surfaces of the head and the block. Remove all old gasket material and any other debris.
8. Apply a thin bead of threadlocker to the head bolts. This will help to prevent the bolts from loosening.
9. Install the new head gasket. Make sure that the gasket is properly aligned with the dowel pins on the block.
10. Start tightening the head bolts from the center of the head outward. Tighten the bolts in a criss-cross pattern to 20 ft-lbs.
11. Reinstall the timing belt, timing belt cover, and crankshaft pulley bolt.
12. Install the valve cover and spark plugs.
13. Refill the engine with coolant and oil.
14. Start the engine and check for leaks. If there are any leaks, tighten the head bolts until the leaks stop.
Tips:
- When removing the head bolts, be careful not to drop them into the engine. If a bolt does fall into the engine, you will need to remove the oil pan to retrieve it.
- Be sure to use a new head gasket when reinstalling the head. A used head gasket is likely to leak.
- When installing the head, be careful not to over-tighten the head bolts. This can damage the head and cause it to leak.
