awesomeame

hi all. this is my first post. i've got a 1988 S4 and need to change a headgasket. i'm going to change both while i'm at it. so i have a few questions..

1) can i change them with the engine in the car?
2) are any "specialized" tools required to do a job like this?
3) is there a write-up somewhere about how to do this procedure?

thanks for any input!

--matt

UKKid35

I have done this recently, click on the magnifying glass at the bottom of this post and look for the first post I made back in November. You will probably encounter many of the same issues that I did.

It will help if we know more about your car's history and what you intend to do with it, as many people will urge you to pull the engine and do a thorough rebuild.

I will try to post a more thorough response later.

PS click on my web link for pics of my engine repair.

Shane E.

You might also research some of the supercharger threads as they have found a better head gasket to replace the stock one. Even if you are not supercharging this gasket will hold up much better than the stock version and prevent any future misshaps.

Jim bailey - 928 International

If you have the space it is far better to remove the engine and put it on an engine stand because you will be resetting cam timing , timing belt etc . it is much harder to do that much work bending over the fenders and nose of the car .

UKKid35

Useful Tools
Deep Socket Set - for head bolts especially and 27mm for Crank Pulley
Torque Wrench
Double Hex Socket Bits (for the camshaft bearing caps)
Standard Hex Socket Bits (for the cam towers etc) - Allen keys are fine to undo but you can't torque things back up to spec with them
Dial Guage (for cam timing)
Magnet on a string/stick (for retrieving stuff you drop)
Loctite 574

Useful Tips
Clean the engine first, wading through grime is no fun
Put stuff in labeled Ziplocs, don't even consider just putting stuff in a box
Change the cam belt and waterpump
Clean the oil return valves in the heads
Replace molten cam seal plugs
Depending on mileage replace cam chains (you can't see wear on them)
Consider removing the airpump
There aren't many gaskets you can reuse (downpipe to exhaust if you're lucky) so just buy them all
Don't try to lift the head off by yourself if you're working engine in unless you're built like Arnie

There's a lot you can do (i.e. replace stuff, the dreaded WYAIT disease) when you take the plenum off too...

Useful Links
David Schmidt
David Chamberland

Useful Resources
Understanding wife/girlfriend
Rennlist (well worth becoming a member)
Warm dry garage to work in
Bottles of wine or beer - you will deserve them!

heinrich

Paul .. nice and useful post.

awesomeame

thanks for all the quick replies and tons of info!! i just found this site today, and am sure glad that i did!

i just actually bought the car, and it's currently 5000kms away from me, in storage. i currently have too many other cars & general junk cluttering my garage right now, so the 928 will remain 5000kms away until i've cleaned this place up a bit. hopefully i'll get it here by the end of the summer.

it has ~120,00kms on it, and i am still awaiting the maintenance records from the previous owner, so i don't know when the belt, chains etc have last been changed.

i'm not going to do anything spectacular with this vehicle. it's just going to be a nice comfortable cruising car that i can take on longer roadtrips. i have a 2002 camaro which i race weekends, and am forever modifying.

so i see there are several things i can/should do while i have the heads off.

1) headgaskets--obviously
2) new cam chain
3) new timing belt
4) new molton cam seal plugs
5) clean oil return valves
6) new "flappy" acuator
7) clean "V" and around knock sensors
8) make sure elbows are in good condition, all hoses pliable
9) replace all required gaskets
10) make sure everything is clean

does anyone have anything to add to that? should i get the valve seats re-ground, replace valve springs, seals etc?

would anyone happen to have an electronic version of a parts catalog for this car/engine? how about an electronic copy of a shop manual?

so i don't need any "porsche specific" tools to do this work on the car?

once again, thanks for everyone's input!!!!

--matt

Dave H.

powder coat the intake and cam covers.

a valve job while it's out sure wouldn't hurt...