Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Head Gasket Replacement

I think I am mst likely going to replace the head gasket on my contour. WWhat is the head bolt size? I don't want to get down to the head and then find I don't have the socket lol. also anything else I should do/replace while I am down in there? Other then the intake manifold cleaning.
Thanks,
Silverchris

ok did the compression test.
cylender numbers are probably wrong. i started with the cylender closest to the batter and then moved along that bank. then went to the back bank and did it from the battery side again.
1 2 3 4 5 6
140 165 150 150 155 150

So i think the first bank has the bad gasket. so can i just replace the one to save money and time? or does it lok like something else?.

There is nothing wrong with those readings. The rule of thumb is that the highest and lowest readings should be within 25% of each other. The math is like this: 165 (highest cylinder) X .75 = 124. You lowest cylinder is well above that (140).

Without more to go on, there is no indication that you need to pull the heads to replace the gaskets.

Also, head gasket failure on this engine is extremely rare.

What are the symptoms you're chasing?

well water is somehow getting into the motor so i figured it would be the head gasket. it all started after the water pump exploded and the car over heated. so what else could it be on this car?

if you have taken the UIM off look at the gaskets and see if there is coolant on them. Mine would run and then when i would shut it off, the cylinders would fill up with coolant, pulled the UIM and coolant was on the gaskets. Its worth looking at if you already have them off.

nope they where clean. i don't know anywhere else water could get in. it smells like coolant not gas btw