minho78

How many times should I change the oil after a Headgasket replacement?

LFA951

Once, just drain it real good...

APKhaos

Hmm....it depends.
I would have said once too, but my last HG change taught me different.

- Lets assume you drained the oil before replacing the HG
- Fill up with FLAPS oil. Run the engine at idle, and let it get fully hot. Check the dipstick regularly.
- Drain the oil hot, and take a sample while its draining. Use a glass jar.
- Check the drained oil carefully for any signs of water. If you see droplets or if the oil is a fuzzy brown color, fill again with FLAPS oil and repeat.
- When the FLAPS oil drains completely free of water, fill with the good stuff.

My first load of oil looked like milkshake very quickly. I spent a ton of time looking for a leak. It took several flushes to clear all the water that has accumulated in the oiling circuit. This did not happen on previous HG replacements, but this one proved that it can happen.

LFA951

I drained my once over two years ago when I replaced the HG with a Widefire, I made the guy drain it for almost 45 minutes, also adding new oil to empty everything down and flush out all the crapp...

Chris White

Don't forget that your oil cooler has a milkshake in too....and no amount of idle time will open the oil thermostat. Its easy enough to undo the lower oil cooler line at the cooler and drain it there. Nasty stuff will come out.

minho78

Gentleman, thank you very much.