APC9199 wrote:
... Just follow the guides that have been posted here and take things slow. Research the parts you'll need/want and make sure you have everything before you start then just block off some time and start working! One big tip that helps me tremendously is to buy organizing bins from home depot/lowes etc and use them to label and organize every piece of hardware that comes out of the engine. Nothing feels worse than not remembering where a screw goes, or even worse, having a few extra when you get done!
That is my 2 cents on the matter. Others will probably recommend that you do very little, overall. It is entirely up to you and your level of "OCD". Just remember that the best group of people to ask for help if/when you get into it are right here waiting!
So after dealing with a major financial ding (my wife's vehicle died and had to be dealt with), I had to cancel geordi's plan to come out and help do the Head-Gasket work.
I am going to have to try it myself. I am now consistently loosing coolant, about a cup, every 5-8 days, driving it M-F ~30 miles each day. After sitting overnight, it produces a small amount of white vapor smoke at start up for about 1-2 minutes and then clears up all day, until the next morning), so I'm going to buckle down to the Head-Gasket replacement myself.
As advised, I am planning on getting the Head surface checked, pressure tested, and milled (if need be), cleaned, then having all new Valves put in from a machine shop in town ($60.00 Pressure Test / Inspection, $60.00 milling/resurfacing, $210.00 new valves installed and cleaned-seated). I am going to put in the 2-Hole Head Gasket, ARP Studs, a new Timing Belt Kit from idparts (belt, gaskets, and water pump), and all the recommended other gaskets, crush washer, nuts, and upgraded bolts.
But before I start taking the rig apart, does anyone have any idea where these "guides that have been posted here" are? I'm trying to pull together all the resources to be as prepared as possible, so I can get it all done in a week or two (this is my daily driver - and have to carpool to get the kids to school and me to work while the rig is taken apart).
I have the Service Manual sections printed for our 2.8L engine work, and the Parts Fiche), and I've also copy and pasted lots of posts about people doing similar TB work, but I can't find a full walk-through of the Head Gasket job, from dismantle and repair/replacing old parts, to putting it back together with the correct timing. I've combed through the internet for videos of our 2.8L CRD Head Gasket R&R, and I'm not able to find one specific to the HG. I've found a few people posting their versions of the Timing Belt R&R Videos, which is great, but not deep enough for me to see what it takes to remove the head, the HG, and all the other parts ... and then putting it all back together in time. I using and referencing the LostJeeps KJ CRD Tech tips page
http://colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/Jeep%20KJ%20CRD%20tech%20tips%20from%20LOST%20forum%20posts.pdf.
I'll be photographing and videoing my process to share with anyone else in the future, and I'm making sure I'm prepared, ready, and following great guides before taking apart the engine down to the Head Gasket.
Anyone have a cheat sheet, a walk-through, a video, or anything to follow along for doing our Head-Gasket R&R?
Please feel free to share.
I'm also going to be asking folks in the Facebook Jeep Liberty CRD group too.
Thanks y'all.
Sarma.