Head Gasket Replace / Help
 

So i had to get quite a few things in the last few months of purchasing a 2007 MS3 with 74k miles on it. Got a used turbo and rebuilt it, spools up to 15-18psi right away. Replaced alternator and starter. I have coolant going somewhere and lot of smoke that smells like coolant coming out the back. Next step is to replace head gasket with the cometic stock replacement and got arp head bolts.

Also, did a compression test and got 75, 75, 75, 70. I have seen most numbers be around 140-180 range. The car has been sleeved, wiseco pistons and head gasket previously installed, just do not know all details. So what might be some of your expertise advice ( not get rid of the car! ) lol

Questions: Anyone that has done this before any tips or things to look for when I am going through this process. I am doing all the work myself.

Appreciate the help guys!

are you sure you did the compression test right? if so I'm sorry........................

I am pretty sure I did. The gauge was really worn and hard to read, but was pretty sure the psi reading was around 75. The car runs awesome when it is warm, I wish i could get someone close that has a MS3 to drive it and see what they think.

also who sleeved it

i have a receipt of all the work done and the garage that did it from the guy i bought it off of.

I'd have to say i love this forum and most of the people on it, but really appreciate not one person answering one of my damn questions. Who gives a shit where i got the car from now, it has been 4 months and yes the car has been feeling like a lemon, but I still am going to do all i can to get this car right because I love everything about it.

So i am asking again for any damn expertise on people who have taken the heads off to let me know anything i might be looking for or specific things on our cars.

Thanks in advance. I will be taking the head off over a 3 day weekend i have off in two weeks. Probably not going to have time to send the head off, because i know it was resurfaced and checked for cracks the last time it was taken off.

What turbo do u have, what kind of tune, what kind of pump

I have a rebuilt K04 with no tune that i know of and stock FP. I have a receipt of what guy had done before me which was sleeves and wiseco pistons. Part of taking it apart is seeing what is in there and have a cometic head gasket and arp head bolts. The only thing from the receipt that was done before is that it didn't list any new head bolts which might be my whole problem.

Ptp head studs r better . The arp ones r known to still lift. Sound like a head gasket

Ouch they didnt replace the bolts. Stupid.

I have head gaskets and studs if you need em.

Willing to bet rebuilt turbo is where your coolant is coming from.
Do you have coolant in your oil?
Did you do the compression test on a hot or cold motor?

I think its strange that it is a stock turbo car with a sleeved block, either the car has had a upgraded turbo or that block was trash and someone decided to bring it back.

Your going to also need new cam and crank bolts and new friction washers.

You might see if the rings were properly gapped. Is there any machine work listed on the receipt?

Dude are you fucking serious?
Who has lifted the head?
I don't think anyone.
You have terrible advice always.
Why are you worshipped again?

^^^ I'm with this.
You're better off just getting a gasket kit. Replace all of them. No need for cometic just get stock. Hopefully it's the turbo spitting coolant.
Rip the motor apart and see what's going on inside. It should really be blueprinted though.

Speaking of arp head studs, they need to be retorqued which requires a partial teardown. The oem bolts are probably better for a lightly to moderately modded car.

In dj's build thread they talk about a couple of lifting heads.
So it has happened...

On here on my phone which doesn't quite support all the functionality of this forum so I can't see where you are. Not anywhere near Cleveland by chance are ya? Sounds like you're doing a ton of work, it'll all be worth it in the end IMO. I love my Speed3.

Can you show me? It was speculated that socks did but even he says that wasn't the case.

Oh man, I can't go back and sift through that mess.
Maybe one of them will see this.

So I got a used turbo with about 35k miles and rebuilt that, still drinking coolant. I also have a lot of smoke that smells like coolant.

Compression test was terrible, but when i do oil change i have a white milky substance in there.

Ok so new cam and crank bolts and friction washers I read before, are those part numbers listed on the list on here?

Yes there was machine work done to the head when it was taken off before. The work was done to prepare for a big turbo, which i will do if i get this all ironed out.

I bought the cometic with the stock gapping with the arp head bolts. So should find it all out next thursday when i start the teardown.

What are the retorquing requirements and timeframe for arp head studs?


****I appreciate all the info so far.**** Any tips on taking the head off and timing chain and all that?

I love the speed 3 also and IMO if runs awesome now, so i can't wait till i get all the bugs worked out. Also, I am in maryland.

Too bad you're so far away, there are four of us MSF type MS3 owners here. I'm sure if our powers combined... ;) I have zero experience with sleeved blocks, and nothing useful to tell you in regards to what you're pondering on, PM me anytime though. Between me and a couple buddies, I'm sure I can get you answers to anything you need. Welcome to the family by the way. Sorry it's been a hardship so far.

Do a clyinder leak down test on all four clyinder before you take the head off to pin point you in a good direction..