Another possible tell-tale would be paint marks on the top of the head bolts. If they have paint marks then they have been removed at some time, presumably to replace the head gasket. Of course the valve cover would need to be removed to see this.
Is there any way to tell if the HG has been done?
- Thread starter Erratic
- Start date
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I added this thread to the following FAQ link on Headgaskets
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=836716#post836716
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=836716#post836716
instead of taking the tranny down to see the back of the engine, could you get a mirror back there to see it?
One member tried that and had a hard time seeing anything that could be conclusive. It gets pretty tight back there with everything up in place.
actually there was a thread about this (inspection mirrors) earlier this year. I read about it just before I bought my cruiser in July. It is a tough view but it can be done with those tiny mirrors mounted on the antenna mast-type wands. I did the inspection on mine and while it took 20 minutes, I was able to view the backside of the head and be comfortable it wasn't leaking. the trick isn't so much aligning the mirror, it's directing the light. Every time I moved the mirror I had to readjust the light.
- Thread starter
- #26
But isn't it possible that the HG would only leak internally, and you would not see anything on the exterior? I have grey goop on my head so I guess I'm on the factory HG. I don't really want to do it. That sounds like it sucks. And I'm really a "while your in there" kinda guy to an extreme. Who knows where I'll end up once I get the head off. Thanks for all the info!
What I mentioned was the most likely way if there was something to see. There isn't any sure fire way to absolutely know for sure but this is the most common indicator.
3 years and 80k ago I did my HG. Tore the head off cleaned it up and put it back on, period. I did some other work but it was more from a clumsy mechanic than a while I'm in there need.
