Just took my headers off, a few QUICK questions

[fbodlovr]

Like stated, i took my headers off because both of them had cracks in them. The car would only run up to about 5 psi. Im guessing it probably because of the headers, right??? I sure hope that was it.

Also, when I was underneat the car, I noticed that there is a lot of oil on the bottom of the motor as well as some pink fluid. Im not sure if there was dex cool in the car, or if its tranny fluid. Did these cars come with dex cool? Where could all of this be coming from. I put on a new turbo, and when I did that I put on a new felpro intake gasket with the two little rubber strips and put rtv sealant on all 4 corners.

One other thing about the headers. Im hearing issues with having gaskets blow on these. IT was a TERRIBLE pain to get the pass. side off. What is the best gasket to use, or do I just not use a gasket? Oh yeah, and how do you guys take off, and put on your pass. header?

One more thing. When i had adready started, I went into the car to turn the wheels to one side. WHen I turned the key on, there was no power. what could possibly be the deal here?

Please help me here, and if you do thank you VERY much!!!!!! :biggrin:

 

[my85grandnation]

Well the oil is more than likely from the rear main seal leaking. These cars are notorious for leaking form there. I have seen basically brand new motors leaking from there if they use the stock rope style seal. Its a POS and under boost it slides out of place causing a leak. You need to replace it with one that is less prone to movment like the neopreme ones that kirban performance and various other vendors sell.

 

[cool 84]

For the headers, either use no gasket and red RTV or the copper gaskets and red RTV. I run no gaskets and have never had a leak.

Might as well do valvecover gaskets while the uppipe and downpipe are off.

 

[fbodlovr]

Well the oil is more than likely from the rear main seal leaking. These cars are notorious for leaking form there. I have seen basically brand new motors leaking from there if they use the stock rope style seal. Its a POS and under boost it slides out of place causing a leak. You need to replace it with one that is less prone to movment like the neopreme ones that kirban performance and various other vendors sell.

Is the rear main seal on these cars hard to change? ALso, how do you go about doing that?

Oh yeah, and what do you think about the pink colored fluid im seeing down there?

 

[fbodlovr]

For the headers, either use no gasket and red RTV or the copper gaskets and red RTV. I run no gaskets and have never had a leak.

Might as well do valvecover gaskets while the uppipe and downpipe are off.

When you use no gaskets on the exhaust headers, do you just clean off the old left over gaskets off of the block and headers, and just reinstall?

Also, you wouldnt think the head gaskets would be bad, do you? I think I will replace the valve cover gaskets though while they are more easy to get too.

 

[tenright]

In order to go without gaskets on the headers both surfaces need to be machined flat. The head is already, but depending on the header you may need to have them done. Safest bet is to go with the copper gaskets.

Don't assume where the oil is comming from, my rope seal does not leak. Use a dye kit found at any autoparts store, this will tell you exactely where the leak is comming from.


T

 

[Dwayne]

A simple visual check.....make sure the turbo drain pipe is seated in the gasket.....they can be a real pain in the a$$ to get in if you are not to terribly familiar with it.....as far as your pink fluid, they didn't come from the factory with dex-cool, it wasn't out yet.....prolly trany fluid, get the car as high as you can on jacks and start looking around.....good luck

 

[fbodlovr]

In order to go without gaskets on the headers both surfaces need to be machined flat. The head is already, but depending on the header you may need to have them done. Safest bet is to go with the copper gaskets.

Don't assume where the oil is comming from, my rope seal does not leak. Use a dye kit found at any autoparts store, this will tell you exactely where the leak is comming from.


T

Yeah, I think I will go with the copper gaskets with rtv sealant. Would advance auto parts, or autozone have these?

As to the dye stuff youre talking about. Is this meant to go into the oil? What exactly do I ask for when going to get it?

 

[fbodlovr]

A simple visual check.....make sure the turbo drain pipe is seated in the gasket.....they can be a real pain in the a$$ to get in if you are not to terribly familiar with it.....as far as your pink fluid, they didn't come from the factory with dex-cool, it wasn't out yet.....prolly trany fluid, get the car as high as you can on jacks and start looking around.....good luck

Hey bigdaddy, i see your in anderson. Im guessing youre one of the GN's I see out there at muncie every now and then. Im usually up there on a red/white f4i.

As to the oil drain for the turbo. Im sure its in all the way. I have taken the turbo off a few times, and have learned it a little more. There are a SEVERE pain in the arse. Do you think the tranny pan gasket could just be bad? Also, do you think the head gaskets could be bad? I couldnt really see it, but i guess anything is possible.

 

[Dwayne]

We don't run GNs......2 light blue T's......good chance it's the pan gasket, take a wrench to it and see if you can get a quarter turn out of the bolts. If you do have to replace the gasket, use a cork one, they seal better than the rubber ones, they tend to squeeze out when tightened. If you can drive the car, get it up to temp, and with it still running, take the cap off of your coolant reserve tank and look for bubbles. This is a good indication that a headgasket is failing. For your sake I hope thats not the case. I would rather pull the motor than change HG's in the car on a HA....keep us posted...

 

[Dwayne]

BTW......where are you located, since you come to muncie ?

 

[tenright]

As to the dye stuff youre talking about. Is this meant to go into the oil? What exactly do I ask for when going to get it?

It's a standard dye kit, comes with the dye and a pen light

Yeah, I think I will go with the copper gaskets with rtv sealant

No need for RTV...the copper gaskets are enough, you can pick up the gaskets at g-body or postons....


T

 

[cool 84]

It's a standard dye kit, comes with the dye and a pen light



No need for RTV...the copper gaskets are enough, you can pick up the gaskets at g-body or postons....


T

The RTV is good insurance. While not absolutely needed with the copper gaskets it only costs a couple bucks and a minute of your time.

 

[fbodlovr]

BTW......where are you located, since you come to muncie ?

Thanks for the advice, and I will try it once I get the headers back on. I live in noblesville also.

 

[fbodlovr]

It's a standard dye kit, comes with the dye and a pen light



No need for RTV...the copper gaskets are enough, you can pick up the gaskets at g-body or postons....


T

Thanks, I'm going to try and get them pretty soon. I hope to god this will fix the boost problem.