$1400 for new head gasket - Seeking advice?

[Brads2002]

That doesn't sound like a hg to me. Any smoke while driving? Usually coolant will be burnt if a bad head gasket. I may be wrong but I don't think the oil is pressurized running down those channels while the coolant would be. I think the gasket would be totally gone and head warped for oil to be seeping in.

From the vc gasket the oil wouldn't necessarily cover the whole plug. Just depends on how much it's leaking. I would run for a bit and pull them out again. If the plug is wet soaked on the electrode that cylinder wouldn't fire. I bet it's picking up the oil when you remove the plug. Ccv as others have said is Likely too.

[E53inLA]

I don't think we ever changed the CCV, and based on what I read, that might be the likely culprit.

Generally no smoke or smell. We did have smoke after replacing the plugs, but it burnt off quickly and we concluded that was the oil that dripped into the cylinders when we replaced the plugs.

Replacing the CCV doesn't look like a DIY job for me. I have read some DIY, and looked at some videos on youtube. Unless it's much easier to do on a 3.0 E53 than the other models I found, I will either take it to an indy or have my mobile mechanic do it. What have others paid for CCV replacement on E53 3.0?

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by E53inLA

I don't think we ever changed the CCV, and based on what I read, that might be the likely culprit.

Generally no smoke or smell. We did have smoke after replacing the plugs, but it burnt off quickly and we concluded that was the oil that dripped into the cylinders when we replaced the plugs.

Replacing the CCV doesn't look like a DIY job for me. I have read some DIY, and looked at some videos on youtube. Unless it's much easier to do on a 3.0 E53 than the other models I found, I will either take it to an indy or have my mobile mechanic do it. What have others paid for CCV replacement on E53 3.0?

Fwiw, I wouldn't have the person who claimed it to be the HG replace the CCV system.

[Brads2002]

So if there was smoke on startup that was from the oil dripping down which aslo means the vc is leaking. I would start there. Your ccv might be just fine especially considering your climate. It's not a bad job though. I have done it in around 2.5 hrs.

[E53inLA]

Originally Posted by Brads2002

So if there was smoke on startup that was from the oil dripping down which aslo means the vc is leaking. I would start there. Your ccv might be just fine especially considering your climate. It's not a bad job though. I have done it in around 2.5 hrs.

I tried to get some good photos. I hope they are helpful.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Brads2002

That doesn't sound like a hg to me. Any smoke while driving? Usually coolant will be burnt if a bad head gasket. I may be wrong but I don't think the oil is pressurized running down those channels while the coolant would be. I think the gasket would be totally gone and head warped for oil to be seeping in.

From the vc gasket the oil wouldn't necessarily cover the whole plug. Just depends on how much it's leaking. I would run for a bit and pull them out again. If the plug is wet soaked on the electrode that cylinder wouldn't fire. I bet it's picking up the oil when you remove the plug. Ccv as others have said is Likely too.

Coolant system pressure is between 10-15 PSI. Any thing above that and the radiator cap will normally bleed of the excess pressure.

Oil pressure is anywhere between 5 to 40 PSI depending on the engine speed. Anything above that will be bleed off by the relief valve in the pump.

Peak cylinder pressures near TDC (where spark occurs) will be in the range of 300 psi for engine's at light loads, to 1000 psi for production engines at full power to 1500 psi or greater for race engines. This is where the engine's power comes from, as it forces the piston down. As the piston goes down, the cylinder volume increases which reduces the cylinder pressure. When the piston gets to the bottom on the cylinder (BDC) there may only be 100 to 500 psi in the cylinder. With that type of pressure a leak in the head gasket will allow combustion gas to enter the water jacket that surround the cylinder as air bubbles. That is why you can determine if you have a head gasket leak by the presence of combustion gas in the radiator.

[Brads2002]

Not to get off track here but the oil running by the pistons through the head gasket...is that the pressure side or the valve train bleed back side? I was thinking it was the drain side thats why no pressure. I am not sure though so you are teaching me. Agreed on exhaust gas feeding back being a more likely symptom.

OP-the electrode on that plug looks normal. I think your original misfire is due to the oil seepage on the plug boots or something unrelated...perhaps a coil is failing or plugs are old. If you haven't replaced they are due anyways. Notice in your last picture one of the valve cover hold down bolts to the left of the plug hole has oil seepage as well. I would replace the cover and all bolt grommets.

Originally Posted by upallnight

Coolant system pressure is between 10-15 PSI. Any thing above that and the radiator cap will normally bleed of the excess pressure.

Oil pressure is anywhere between 5 to 40 PSI depending on the engine speed. Anything above that will be bleed off by the relief valve in the pump.



Peak cylinder pressures near TDC (where spark occurs) will be in the range of 300 psi for engine's at light loads, to 1000 psi for production engines at full power to 1500 psi or greater for race engines. This is where the engine's power comes from, as it forces the piston down. As the piston goes down, the cylinder volume increases which reduces the cylinder pressure. When the piston gets to the bottom on the cylinder (BDC) there may only be 100 to 500 psi in the cylinder. With that type of pressure a leak in the head gasket will allow combustion gas to enter the water jacket that surround the cylinder as air bubbles. That is why you can determine if you have a head gasket leak by the presence of combustion gas in the radiator.