This video may be years old but it helped me gain the confidence to fix my blown head gasket myself. I do a lot of maintenance on my own (brakes and brake lines, wheel bearings, spark plugs, oil changes of course) but never have I ever taken apart any bit of an engine. The teardown was very thorough and walked me through every step. I wish that there was a thorough reassembly, but he was so thorough on the teardown that i just went in reverse and found all of the important torque specs online. A few broken bolts and stripped threads later, but with 171k miles she's back up and running like a clock. It did take me significantly longer than expected to finish this job but I was making sure to take my time, kudos to this guy for doing it in a day. Definitely learned a lot in this process, I hope to never have to repair rocker arm threads again though, that was not fun.
Man I have to give it to you. I didn't feel comfortable at all doing mine. But I watched this video over and over for a week. Then I took a piece of paper and literally wrote all the important stuff down. 2pages. But thanks to you. It was no problem. Took me 3days tho. But not to bad in the middle of January. Thanks again.
Going on about 8 months and 19,000 miles since I did this job with this video and its author as an invaluable resource. I find myself watching the video out of nostalgia. I was attached to it by the hip during the whole process. The car (Buick Rendezvous) is running well at 122,000 miles. No SES lights. The only residual item is an exhaust leak that I simply haven't the time to run down. Thank you so much, again.
I am having to replace a head gasket on same freaking car, same freaking motor. Dude, this video is the sh!t. Thank you very much for making this video. I watched it in its entirety before I attempted to replace the gasket, and I had totally felt like I had done it before when I started on it I knew exactly what to remove and what order to remove it. Thank you for your time and effort for making this video.
Bro, I have to say this has been one of the best videos I've seen dismantling to the head gasket.str8 to the point and very well detailed.much appreciated on this.
I just helping the neighbors with there 3.4 a lot of old age parts breaking. Your video is helping me see how to get to parts and what tool to use. Stay humble and always learn and mentor .
This guy right here is the truth he basically gave me confidence to do this myself & other stuff if you pay attention he’s teaching you way more than just how to replace head gaskets ,, I’ve referred back to this video dozens of time for lost plug locations couldn’t find but found in this vid & bunch other crazy stuff thanks bro 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
just wanna say thx. i had just bought my 99gt and then BAM! blown head gasket. at 226000 miles it shouldnt have surprised me. i knew something was wrong with it when i bought it for 500$. just didnt expect it to happen that quick. love my gt. thx to this video shes back up and runnin like a champ,with no sign of quittin anytime soon.easily saved tons of cash doin it myself. thx again
Great video probably the best on TH-cam for this repair. I'm about to tackle the left head gasket in a few days, have all the repair info and specs but nothing beats actually video footage of it being done.
it took about 4 days to do. I have a lift at work which made it a little easier. Only broke a couple bolts getting the exhaust manifold other than that it went smoothly but wasn't an easy job to say the least spent about 300 getting the heads resurfaced and machined and valve job and spent about 200 on all the gaskets and new head bolts.
@@toyotatech2jz814 what do you do after the exhaust bolt breaks off? How do you fix that? I mean you'll have the stud still sticking out and it will be short so how do you resolve that problem done the bolt isn't coming out and it's too short since the nut that broke off too half the bolt with it. What's the remedy to that if you don't mind me asking?
One of the best videos on the subject I have seen. I'd rather have the "sniffles" than some of that loud overpowering music that is played over other videos. At least I can hear what the person here is talking about. I am in the middle of fixing my son's Alero and it has been a PITA job. Where it came to the rear head, I found it easier to remove the exhaust pipe from the manifold from underneath the car using "wobbly" extensions and an air impact wrench and then remove the head COMPLETE with exhaust manifold etc. I then removed all those bits on the bench and sent the heads out for machining. I am about to reinstall same so I hope I don't learn why I should not have done it this way! I had found it very difficult to get at the manifold bolts and heat shield securing bolts while head was in the car. I am in mid seventies so probably that had something to do with it that made me take a short cut, which I hope I don't regret! The only other problem I had to this point was removing the cruise control cable from throttle body. Those older V8's were a lot easier to work on!
Ha! That's EXACTLY what I did with my Rendezvous, regarding getting the exhaust off the rear head. However, even though my car has been working, I've got a residual exhaust leak that I haven't yet worked on, but I'd bet money on it being something I screwed up at the exhaust pipe connection to the rear manifold.
Phil Flood how did everything turn out? I'm about to have to take my heads off on mine. And I know what you mean you could do about everything to those old v8s instead of sending them off. I grew up racing with a 350 and sbc 400 and man you could tear them down in less than a hour!
Really appreciate the video!! I really like how you recorded every bolt you took off even if it meant making the video an hr long! Even though head gaskets seem like a pain in the butt I'm really forward to changing mine on an 04 Olds Alero! I been having slight over heating issues and I'm starting to think its the head gasket only cuz at this point I've replaced everything in the cooling system except the head gasket and the heater core :( new intake gaskets new pump new radiator & hoses. After taking it apart so many times I started to really enjoy working on it so Im really looking forward to my first head gasket change and your video really helped alot!!
Great video on head gasket repair. I am going to for my first time ever tear the top end of an engine apart. 2005 white grand am 3400. I was a complete nervous wreck until I watched this greatly detailed video. I do have a life time of experience with auto mechanics but only exterior parts. Thanks to this video I now have the confidence and motivation to tackle this project.
Excellent detailed accurate step by step instructions for what is otherwise a very painful project. Used this video to walk my way through the same project.
Good job bro! Very detailed, and carefully made. I can tell you truly intended to help people through this nightmare, V6's can be an overwhelming bear. Thank you again for this well done video!
JL Reaper thanks, yes I agree alot of them skip almost everything other than when the part is actually coming off. this took me about 6 hours to edit lmao
Thanks for this video. Just bought a 2001 Monte Carlo with suspected blown head gasket. I am taking this project on when the weather warms up around here. Like the push rod order trick.
Great Video ! I'am Doing My Head gaskets Tomorrow. I've Replaced Many Head gaskets,But Never On A 3.4, Now I Know Excactly What I'm In For, Thanks Alot.You Can Work On My Car Anytime, You Are A Great Mechanic.
Great diy instruction video for the 3.4 v6. Doing the head gaskets on my gfs 04 pontiac grand am. Already replaced water pump, thermostat, ran multiple flushes on it but it still smoked and had milky oil. I wish all videos were filmed like this, I think it's a lost art.
Just bought a 2003 pontiac grand am just like this too a T. This video helped me all the way through, too replacing my head gaskets. You guys made a great video, gave alot of great tips and tricks. Thank you guys for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. Videos like this help us backyard wrenches. I just got my 3.1 heads back from the shopped (warped bad) and going to put new seals in before I put it back together
Thanks for taking the time to post this. It was really helpful doing head gaskets on my daughters 2003 Grand AM. The only thing I would add is to take the hood all the way off. 4 bolts and you have much better access. Thanks Again!
Thanks for this video!! It was a great help! I did my own head gasket on a 2003 Chevy Venture. (Talk about tight spaces) Your video was the ONLY reason it worked out for me. A few small differences in engine layout but nothing major. Everything went as smooth as silk. I have an ongoing joke with my kids... each time I came back to your video, I'd say "it's time to talk to Mr. Sniffles." I believe it was chilly out when you made the video. Anyways I really appreciated the help!! God bless you and yours!
Nick Ilic yeah it was a warmer day and i dont like to wear a jacket or coat and my nose kept running all day haha, thanks for watching the video man and that name is kinda catchy =P
This is the best video that I have ever watched pulling heads off an engine 3.4 do everything he says it will save you a lot of grief when you put all that knick-knack stuff back on there if you have to go back and look at the video there's an engine lift plate behind that alternator bracket you make damn sure you put that back in there if you don't you'll be stripped the bolthole or break the bracket like I did keep all that shitt together look at that video when you put it back together because this kid's good real good
Bro, I just saved my 2004 Pontiac Grand am sc/t coupe thanks to your video. I replaced the headgaskets, and basically every part in the motor, at 290,000kms it should be good for another 100k.
Thanks for doing such a great job on this video. I used it as my resource to fix the head gasket in my Oldsmobile Alero. I am not a machanic and got the car as a learning project during the summer. It now runs and has no issues thanks to this video. I would have loved having a step by step instruction video on putting the engine back together, but I highly recommend this video to people that have 3.4l engines.
I've been forced to become familiar with these engines over the past 6 months lol. My own 2005 Equinox blew a head gasket at about 108K (shitty factory gaskets!) and boy, that was a learning experience. I didn't have the money to take it into a shop and more or less wanted to feel proud about rebuilding it myself. Tell you what, the 3.4 LNJ in the Equinox Is much different in terms of intake, serpentine belt and wiring. But these engines are so much better than people say and will run with the worst of issues... I've seen them running with thrown rods... I literally just got done taking apart a 3.1 in a friend's 98 Malibu with the same issue. Thanks for the video it definitely helped a bit!
dude you must invest in PB Blast its some good shit for rusty bolts . and this is one of the best repair videos ive ever seen and im a 52 year old mechanic thanks bro !!!
well done ! my bro has a 03 rendezvous with this 3400 she's a leaker of oil (oil pan gasket) and i am used to honda and toyota design gm's seem very hard to work on. with out good people like you showing us it would be a impossible challenge
Hey man, thanks a lot for the video! I bought a 2001 grand am and 2 days later, it overheated. Head gaskets we’re leaking and heads were cracked. You helped me and my father tear it all apart and put it back together. Runs like a charm now! so far.....
Thank you for this video. I have purchased a Chevy Venture with blown headgaskets to make it my junk hauler. I did not know what I was getting into :D But I pulled it off and this video helped a ton.
i used this video to do my own. very helpful but one thing to consider if you are thinking about doing this your self is to watch the video all the way through writing and numbering the steps as you watch. it makes putting the engine back together a lot easier when you can just follow the list backward. i noted 87 steps. you may have slightly more or less just depends.
I'm on the same progress I'm only 16 and 0 experience and only took me a night to disassemble really easy only need to organize the stuff and need the tools (this video helped alot thanks:)
Thank you so much for this I had to do 2 of theses motors ,Daughter and my son's lol this video was spot on ty so much. I only had 1 problem the gas line was a bear to get set in right it leaked bad at first so anyone doing this make sure that sucker seats right
great job guys have to do one tomorrow, some good tips there, not sure where you are from however I'm certain it will take a little longer here on the rock .things seem to rust up and decay a little more with the salty air the joys of being surrounded by water.
all the rockers and pushrods have to come out :O as if i wasnt intimidated enough. very good video, time to study, watch watch rewatch thx much for the vid.
Im not excited to do this, but it has to be done in the near future on my 04 Grand Am GT. Saving this video for when I finally get around to doing this.
I pulled my heads with the manifolds and shields on. I put them back on with the manifolds and shields on. Saves a lot of time. Use some penetrating oil and an Impact to pull the cross pipe bolts/nuts. Use penetrating oil and an impact to remove lower pipe nuts/bolts from fire wall side manifold. It's a lot less likely you'll break exhaust bolts.
Dude! Thanks so much for the video! I pretty much followed this step for step and I'm basically done putting everything back together. Hopefully my car starts when I turn the key. lol
Making my job a lot easier. I had to pull the injectors , and managed to yak up the wiring. I had to purchase a manual for the car to get the wiring straightened out; otherwise, this guy is really good.
wish I had your patience man, mines is having every issue it can possibly have. After years of enjoying my chevy venture I think it's time it makes it's way to the boneyard. Seeing everything that has to be done, I am now sure I am not up for this trip. lol
10.14.14. Just a few suggestions, I use a Lisle 48300 pushrod removal tool to remove the pushrods before I loosen & remove the rocker arm bolts & rocker arms, if you don't use the tool it's imperative that the valves be on their seats! Turn the crank to index each cylinders valves so they are closed. ( Intake & Exhaust). You tube is replete with videos of 3100/3400 engines ticking or knocking after replacing the L.I.M. Gaskets or head gaskets! The rocker arm bolt holes in the aluminum head strip out due to the tension placed on the rocker arm bolt/thread,& aluminum threads in the hole, junction. Also there are block drain plugs on both cylinder banks to drain the heads & block of coolant. They are 9/16 hex head plugs. Replace them with brass petcocks.
ive never used one of the tools before so i cant comment on that, but yes there is drain plugs on the block which are a pain in the butt to get to unless the motor is pulled and half the time seized and a pain. I've never (personally) had a problem with a ticking from the rockers after doing a head job on a 3.1/3.4/3.8, I've never had a rocker bolt ever strip threads either. but i guess its possible like everything else is, good to know facts you stated though and ill be checking out that tool as well, thanks for your input =]
I have done three of these on gm minivans. I simply put the rockers back in their space and torque down the bolt. Only need to make sure the bolt gets seated. I don't recall the first two times, but the last time i torqued to 12 ft-lbs as recommended by the head rebuilder.
widtrak77 I used that tool doing lower intake on a 2002 Venture 3.4L and never loosened or took off rockers or turned the engine. I just put the new gaskets on and put the push rods back with the tool. No knocking, no problems. I'm about to use the tool again to replace the head gaskets. Yikes lots of fun on this f***ing van lol, and it's only at 125k miles.
Hey you did an awesome job, I don't need a head gasket change anytime soon but I am certainly using this video to do so, thanks for making this video :)
Hey man great video. One of the best I have found for front wheel v6s. Getting ready to go put in some work on a 1992 Plymouth Sundance Duster v6 3.0. Haven't done one yet. Car has been sitting for 3 years. Overheats and smokes pretty bad. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Very informative. Would like to see a full step by step reassembly. With the proper tools, I feel like I could do this. A list of tools would be great, especially for those without access to power or air tools. And how to deal with stripped and broken bolts. Always seems to be the problem that halts process completely.
I bought an air compressor from harbor freight for about $150, then borrowed an air ratchet and impact wrench from my dad, although you don't need air tools - just saves you a little elbow grease (and are frankly more fun to use). I also had a pretty large socket set available, but really you just need the set of those sizes most commonly used: 8, 10, 13, and 15mm. There were a few others I think. What I did was to watch the whole video, recording every tool he mentioned. Those little hook tools were useful. Depending on the car, ratcheting straps were also useful for hauling the engine forward if getting to the back of it is difficult like it was on my Rendezvous. Regarding broken bolts, I only had those in the head when removing the exhaust. When I had the heads machined, the machinist was kind enough to remove them for me in the process. I remember that part fondly - the heads came back absolutely immaculate, as clean as though they came from the dealership.
Starting this job in about 6 hours on my 03 Grand Am GT, man do I hope it goes well, this job is a first for me. Sure beats a $2,000.00 shop bill though, I ordered the whole gasket set bolts included 65.00 on ebay, free shipping.
You mentioned about the overheating and getting the heads shaved? Why's that? also the rockers don't need torque applied to it as well? my car has been out of commission because I'm afraid to fuck it up but I'll have no other choice because I don't have $400 for my mechanic to fix it. This video has been a big help, my mechanic told me the same things that you mentioned in here. If I have another question I will ask it that's fine.
If I was a shop owner and had a customer bitch about the price to replace a head gasket I would do him a favor and send this video to him and if didnt convince him of paying the price well then he can do it his dam self and good luck haha. Dam you got to take everything apart.
Going to buy an '03 Impala with the 3.4, guy was getting it cleaned up to sell but coolant was leaking into the cylinders. Caught him before he was going to to a complete gasket job and sell it for 2500, but if I take it as is I'll get it just below a grand. Had a 3.8 but it caught fire (which is why I'm not going back to LS) but one big relief for me is to see the power steering pump on top instead of BEHIND THE DAMN ENGINE.
This video you made is excellent. Thank you for making this. I have a 2000 Grand Am 2.4 L head gasket that I have to replace. How much difference is it verses the 3.4 L. in your video?
GREAT VIDEO!!! A+++ Thanks for the visual aid. Very thorough with great tips. Hopefully I can complete it as fast as you did! Awfully nice day for a cold;)though.
Amazing video! I think this is the only video that covers everything and I am following every step as I am changing mine. But I have a problem, is the coolant air bleed pipe supposed to be hard to remove? I have the 8 mm bolt removed and I tried pulling it upwards several times, but it doesn't want to come off (it doesn't even move). All of the other hoses are disconnected and nothing is interfering with the pipe. I am thinking of using a rubber mallet next, but I wanted to consult with you first. Any help is greatly appreciated!
i have a 2003 grand am 3.4L v6 and was wondering bout rattle in the engine when cold and after when it warms up it goes away is that common to do that. Also am wondering in my other 2003 grand am 3.4L v6 when you press on the peddle at take off it hops do you think that it maybe an engine mount problem.
Great video, first time going this deep into the engine and I feel very confident doing if after watching this video. Just wanted to ask in the comments though, any tips on future prevention of blowing the head gasket? Any sealers, silicones, certain torque specs I should use instead of the stock recommendations? Maybe welding the heads? Anything would be appreciated
Lots of bolts so it would be a great video to show the bolts as they are removed from what and state the size and a good pic of each bolt to make it easier to identify and replace very quickly. That would be the best breakdown video showing exact locations in slow motion on the engine for replacing the various parts such as the egr, vaccum lines so they can be easily identified by those that forget to remember them.
Did you not go back with the Felpro intake gaskets? Reason why I ask my middle intake facing for the gasket had an indention in it from the previous owner over torqued the gaskets.....probably made a mistake with foot-lbs instead of 10 in-lbs? the felpro has a metal piece made into the middle intake gasket material for the guide pen and believe me it was a pain and a guess as to how much sanding I could do to the intake facing. I did the best I could placed a tiny amount of gasket sealer on the indention and used a credit card to scrape the sealer smooth. It’s worked for a couple years but you can bet every now and then I wish I’d just found another intake.. I also had to spend 50 bucks for a heli-coil set (same head as the overtorqued intake. All rocker arms were fine except for One the aluminum threads came out with the bolt. Really I got the car for nothing but it turned to poop quick once I got into it and excited about it. Still runs great no oil use to speak of and no coolant leak.....but mine was a 3.1 with that stupid left front motor mount....I hated that thing. Enjoyed the video
Robert Carlson the ones at the flange if they break just use a 13mm socket and the bottom come right out of it then just get a longer bolt same thread. pretty simple lol
I saw a video where they undid the head bolts (both sides) and left the exhaust and the cross-over pipe on. They then lifted both heads , with the cross-over pipe connected, off as one unit. Once they were out of the car, you could spray with pen oil or use heat to remove the stubborn bolts. Hope this helps someone.
Cool video however not looking forward to changing the gaskets this weekend. What is the best way to determine if the heads need to be machined? Also my fans stopped coming on at 200 degrees? Does that have any thing to do with the blown gasket? Thanks again!
Hey Gear Head Mech, Great video. I am doing a 2002 Impala Lower intake gasket. I leak a lot of oil externally and thought it may be from lower intake gasket. But it looks really wet with oil around where the head meets the block. Also I see oil in the valley where the lower intake is. My question is it possible that oil is leaking externally from the head gasket? Or do you think that it is just oil leaking from intake dripping down next to the head gasket. I hate to do more than needed but also would hate to not fix the actual leak. Been leaking for a long time. Does not overheat and just started to loose a little coolant. Also what would I have to do if I did break an exhaust bolt while taking exhaust manifold off. You never showed how you were able to fix the ones you broke. Thanks for any input
This video may be years old but it helped me gain the confidence to fix my blown head gasket myself. I do a lot of maintenance on my own (brakes and brake lines, wheel bearings, spark plugs, oil changes of course) but never have I ever taken apart any bit of an engine. The teardown was very thorough and walked me through every step. I wish that there was a thorough reassembly, but he was so thorough on the teardown that i just went in reverse and found all of the important torque specs online. A few broken bolts and stripped threads later, but with 171k miles she's back up and running like a clock. It did take me significantly longer than expected to finish this job but I was making sure to take my time, kudos to this guy for doing it in a day. Definitely learned a lot in this process, I hope to never have to repair rocker arm threads again though, that was not fun.
Uaghh rocker arm threads?! Maan
Man I have to give it to you. I didn't feel comfortable at all doing mine. But I watched this video over and over for a week. Then I took a piece of paper and literally wrote all the important stuff down. 2pages. But thanks to you. It was no problem. Took me 3days tho. But not to bad in the middle of January. Thanks again.
Can I get a pic of the paper?
Going on about 8 months and 19,000 miles since I did this job with this video and its author as an invaluable resource. I find myself watching the video out of nostalgia. I was attached to it by the hip during the whole process.
The car (Buick Rendezvous) is running well at 122,000 miles. No SES lights. The only residual item is an exhaust leak that I simply haven't the time to run down.
Thank you so much, again.
Thanks for the time to make the video. I'm sure a lot of people appreciate what you have done for the people out there.
I am having to replace a head gasket on same freaking car, same freaking motor. Dude, this video is the sh!t. Thank you very much for making this video. I watched it in its entirety before I attempted to replace the gasket, and I had totally felt like I had done it before when I started on it I knew exactly what to remove and what order to remove it. Thank you for your time and effort for making this video.
Did you get it done?
What u tighten the rocker arms down too
Bro, I have to say this has been one of the best videos I've seen dismantling to the head gasket.str8 to the point and very well detailed.much appreciated on this.
I just helping the neighbors with there 3.4 a lot of old age parts breaking. Your video is helping me see how to get to parts and what tool to use. Stay humble and always learn and mentor .
This guy right here is the truth he basically gave me confidence to do this myself & other stuff if you pay attention he’s teaching you way more than just how to replace head gaskets ,, I’ve referred back to this video dozens of time for lost plug locations couldn’t find but found in this vid & bunch other crazy stuff thanks bro 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks for the comment and watching the video :)
When I did it on my Rendezvous I had the laptop sitting next to the car, hitting play and pause and play and pause all the time.
Atreus21 same here bro now I’m rebuilding entire engines 👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏼
This will be the third one I have done. Your technique is much faster than mine and I will be employing your tips and tricks. Thank you!!!
just wanna say thx. i had just bought my 99gt and then BAM! blown head gasket. at 226000 miles it shouldnt have surprised me. i knew something was wrong with it when i bought it for 500$. just didnt expect it to happen that quick. love my gt. thx to this video shes back up and runnin like a champ,with no sign of quittin anytime soon.easily saved tons of cash doin it myself. thx again
Tfaod Crafters not the same car but same motor same problem
Great video probably the best on TH-cam for this repair. I'm about to tackle the left head gasket in a few days, have all the repair info and specs but nothing beats actually video footage of it being done.
thank you so much :)
i think so. very useful video except CNC.
ToyotaTech2JZ how did it go?
it took about 4 days to do. I have a lift at work which made it a little easier. Only broke a couple bolts getting the exhaust manifold other than that it went smoothly but wasn't an easy job to say the least spent about 300 getting the heads resurfaced and machined and valve job and spent about 200 on all the gaskets and new head bolts.
@@toyotatech2jz814 what do you do after the exhaust bolt breaks off? How do you fix that? I mean you'll have the stud still sticking out and it will be short so how do you resolve that problem done the bolt isn't coming out and it's too short since the nut that broke off too half the bolt with it. What's the remedy to that if you don't mind me asking?
Hey thank you man , I did my head gasket 3 years ago and have put 30,000 since then , thank you
One of the best videos on the subject I have seen. I'd rather have the "sniffles" than some of that loud overpowering music that is played over other videos. At least I can hear what the person here is talking about.
I am in the middle of fixing my son's Alero and it has been a PITA job. Where it came to the rear head, I found it easier to remove the exhaust pipe from the manifold from underneath the car using "wobbly" extensions and an air impact wrench and then remove the head COMPLETE with exhaust manifold etc. I then removed all those bits on the bench and sent the heads out for machining. I am about to reinstall same so I hope I don't learn why I should not have done it this way! I had found it very difficult to get at the manifold bolts and heat shield securing bolts while head was in the car. I am in mid seventies so probably that had something to do with it that made me take a short cut, which I hope I don't regret! The only other problem I had to this point was removing the cruise control cable from throttle body. Those older V8's were a lot easier to work on!
Ha! That's EXACTLY what I did with my Rendezvous, regarding getting the exhaust off the rear head. However, even though my car has been working, I've got a residual exhaust leak that I haven't yet worked on, but I'd bet money on it being something I screwed up at the exhaust pipe connection to the rear manifold.
Yeah music kills my buzz from all the coke that gave me the sniffles haha
Phil Flood how did everything turn out? I'm about to have to take my heads off on mine. And I know what you mean you could do about everything to those old v8s instead of sending them off. I grew up racing with a 350 and sbc 400 and man you could tear them down in less than a hour!
same except, i didnt need to go under at all besides lifting it for the power steering
Really appreciate the video!! I really like how you recorded every bolt you took off even if it meant making the video an hr long! Even though head gaskets seem like a pain in the butt I'm really forward to changing mine on an 04 Olds Alero! I been having slight over heating issues and I'm starting to think its the head gasket only cuz at this point I've replaced everything in the cooling system except the head gasket and the heater core :( new intake gaskets new pump new radiator & hoses. After taking it apart so many times I started to really enjoy working on it so Im really looking forward to my first head gasket change and your video really helped alot!!
Great video on head gasket repair. I am going to for my first time ever tear the top end of an engine apart. 2005 white grand am 3400. I was a complete nervous wreck until I watched this greatly detailed video. I do have a life time of experience with auto mechanics but only exterior parts. Thanks to this video I now have the confidence and motivation to tackle this project.
Excellent detailed accurate step by step instructions for what is otherwise a very painful project. Used this video to walk my way through the same project.
Good job bro! Very detailed, and carefully made. I can tell you truly intended to help people through this nightmare, V6's can be an overwhelming bear. Thank you again for this well done video!
Did he do 2 passes on the headbolts
Thanks for the full in-depth video, not much of these types of videos on TH-cam.
JL Reaper thanks, yes I agree alot of them skip almost everything other than when the part is actually coming off. this took me about 6 hours to edit lmao
Awesome video. Very good step by step coverage. You cover every bolt and how to get it out. Excellent job. Thanks!
Thanks for this video. Just bought a 2001 Monte Carlo with suspected blown head gasket. I am taking this project on when the weather warms up around here. Like the push rod order trick.
Great Video ! I'am Doing My Head gaskets Tomorrow. I've Replaced Many Head gaskets,But Never On A 3.4, Now I Know Excactly What I'm In For, Thanks Alot.You Can Work On My Car Anytime, You Are A Great Mechanic.
Your instructions have been spot on. I just pulled my heads and am having them shaved now. Thank you so much.
Great diy instruction video for the 3.4 v6. Doing the head gaskets on my gfs 04 pontiac grand am. Already replaced water pump, thermostat, ran multiple flushes on it but it still smoked and had milky oil. I wish all videos were filmed like this, I think it's a lost art.
Just bought a 2003 pontiac grand am just like this too a T. This video helped me all the way through, too replacing my head gaskets. You guys made a great video, gave alot of great tips and tricks. Thank you guys for sharing.
Thanks for watching, glad it helped!
Thanks for sharing. Videos like this help us backyard wrenches. I just got my 3.1 heads back from the shopped (warped bad) and going to put new seals in before I put it back together
I was going to critique the order you broke it down in, but what the hell man? Your did a good job.
Thanks for taking the time to post this. It was really helpful doing head gaskets on my daughters 2003 Grand AM. The only thing I would add is to take the hood all the way off. 4 bolts and you have much better access. Thanks Again!
Thanks for this video!! It was a great help! I did my own head gasket on a 2003 Chevy Venture. (Talk about tight spaces) Your video was the ONLY reason it worked out for me. A few small differences in engine layout but nothing major. Everything went as smooth as silk. I have an ongoing joke with my kids... each time I came back to your video, I'd say "it's time to talk to Mr. Sniffles." I believe it was chilly out when you made the video. Anyways I really appreciated the help!! God bless you and yours!
Nick Ilic yeah it was a warmer day and i dont like to wear a jacket or coat and my nose kept running all day haha, thanks for watching the video man and that name is kinda catchy =P
Still going strong? Looking into buying a 2005 venture with head gasket issues
This is the best video that I have ever watched pulling heads off an engine 3.4 do everything he says it will save you a lot of grief when you put all that knick-knack stuff back on there if you have to go back and look at the video there's an engine lift plate behind that alternator bracket you make damn sure you put that back in there if you don't you'll be stripped the bolthole or break the bracket like I did keep all that shitt together look at that video when you put it back together because this kid's good real good
Awesome job, sir. And it was nice of you to give the spastic a job filming it.
Bro, I just saved my 2004 Pontiac Grand am sc/t coupe thanks to your video. I replaced the headgaskets, and basically every part in the motor, at 290,000kms it should be good for another 100k.
Thanks for doing such a great job on this video. I used it as my resource to fix the head gasket in my Oldsmobile Alero. I am not a machanic and got the car as a learning project during the summer. It now runs and has no issues thanks to this video. I would have loved having a step by step instruction video on putting the engine back together, but I highly recommend this video to people that have 3.4l engines.
This is probably the best video on the internet for doing head gaskets on this engine.
I've been forced to become familiar with these engines over the past 6 months lol. My own 2005 Equinox blew a head gasket at about 108K (shitty factory gaskets!) and boy, that was a learning experience. I didn't have the money to take it into a shop and more or less wanted to feel proud about rebuilding it myself. Tell you what, the 3.4 LNJ in the Equinox Is much different in terms of intake, serpentine belt and wiring. But these engines are so much better than people say and will run with the worst of issues... I've seen them running with thrown rods... I literally just got done taking apart a 3.1 in a friend's 98 Malibu with the same issue. Thanks for the video it definitely helped a bit!
dude you must invest in PB Blast its some good shit for rusty bolts . and this is one of the best repair videos ive ever seen and im a 52 year old mechanic thanks bro !!!
well done ! my bro has a 03 rendezvous with this 3400 she's a leaker of oil (oil pan gasket) and i am used to honda and toyota design gm's seem very hard to work on. with out good people like you showing us it would be a impossible challenge
Thanks for the video. I got to do this on my daughter's car. Also thanks alot for the step by step instead of skipping over stuff. Very clear video
George Chamberlain Jr thanks :)
Hey man, thanks a lot for the video! I bought a 2001 grand am and 2 days later, it overheated. Head gaskets we’re leaking and heads were cracked. You helped me and my father tear it all apart and put it back together. Runs like a charm now! so far.....
Definitely following this video on my phone through the whole process.
Thanks for the play by play. The Alero im working on is possibly the worst vehical Ive ever done. Also *Pro Tip* - Go ahead!
Thank you for this video. I have purchased a Chevy Venture with blown headgaskets to make it my junk hauler. I did not know what I was getting into :D But I pulled it off and this video helped a ton.
i used this video to do my own. very helpful but one thing to consider if you are thinking about doing this your self is to watch the video all the way through writing and numbering the steps as you watch. it makes putting the engine back together a lot easier when you can just follow the list backward. i noted 87 steps. you may have slightly more or less just depends.
I had the laptop next to my car during the tear down and rebuild. Used it incessantly.
I'm on the same progress I'm only 16 and 0 experience and only took me a night to disassemble really easy only need to organize the stuff and need the tools (this video helped alot thanks:)
227julien no problem, thanks for viewing 😊
Thanks a lot. Big help because I am gojng to replace the head gaskets on my buick century 3.1L
You are the man! I just had mine done on Chevy Equinox
Thank you so much for this I had to do 2 of theses motors ,Daughter and my son's lol this video was spot on ty so much. I only had 1 problem the gas line was a bear to get set in right it leaked bad at first so anyone doing this make sure that sucker seats right
Bro. Thank you. God bless you and your family!!!!
I just wanted to say thank you for making this video. if not for it I Would've been working on my daughter's car for weeks instead of hours.
thank you for watching and I appreciate it :)
great job guys have to do one tomorrow, some good tips there, not sure where you are from however I'm certain it will take a little longer here on the rock .things seem to rust up and decay a little more with the salty air the joys of being surrounded by water.
I found this video very informative. I will use it as my reference point because it is similar to the 3,1 that I going to try and fix.
Don’t even have to ask i’m subscribed!!! The amount of gold in this video is legendary!!!!
Thanks for teaching i have a 2005 Pontiac grand am same color and same problem this videos helps me alot
Excellent video! I will be doing this job on my daughters 2001 Olds Alero.
Nicolet thanks :)
all the rockers and pushrods have to come out :O as if i wasnt intimidated enough. very good video, time to study, watch watch rewatch thx much for the vid.
Thank You, this will help greatly with the changing the head gasket on my Chevy Venture van.
Im not excited to do this, but it has to be done in the near future on my 04 Grand Am GT. Saving this video for when I finally get around to doing this.
I pulled my heads with the manifolds and shields on. I put them back on with the manifolds and shields on. Saves a lot of time. Use some penetrating oil and an Impact to pull the cross pipe bolts/nuts. Use penetrating oil and an impact to remove lower pipe nuts/bolts from fire wall side manifold. It's a lot less likely you'll break exhaust bolts.
Dude! Thanks so much for the video! I pretty much followed this step for step and I'm basically done putting everything back together. Hopefully my car starts when I turn the key. lol
did it start?
Did it start?
DID it start?
Some say he still hasn't tried
Pssshh. Would you just look at it
Making my job a lot easier. I had to pull the injectors , and managed to yak up the wiring. I had to purchase a manual for the car to get the wiring straightened out; otherwise, this guy is really good.
Thank you!!!! I’m doing a 1998 Chevy Malibu 3.1L similar motors. Starting it this week both head gaskets.
Good job fam. I'm doing the front head gasket tomorrow.. Thx for the video👍
wish I had your patience man, mines is having every issue it can possibly have. After years of enjoying my chevy venture I think it's time it makes it's way to the boneyard. Seeing everything that has to be done, I am now sure I am not up for this trip. lol
great video....looks like i wont be trying this myself, looks way too tough......thanks for the heads up video!!!!!
10.14.14. Just a few suggestions, I use a Lisle 48300 pushrod removal tool to remove the pushrods before I loosen & remove the rocker arm bolts & rocker arms, if you don't use the tool it's imperative that the valves be on their seats! Turn the crank to index each cylinders valves so they are closed. ( Intake & Exhaust). You tube is replete with videos of 3100/3400 engines ticking or knocking after replacing the L.I.M. Gaskets or head gaskets! The rocker arm bolt holes in the aluminum head strip out due to the tension placed on the rocker arm bolt/thread,& aluminum threads in the hole, junction. Also there are block drain plugs on both cylinder banks to drain the heads & block of coolant. They are 9/16 hex head plugs. Replace them with brass petcocks.
ive never used one of the tools before so i cant comment on that, but yes there is drain plugs on the block which are a pain in the butt to get to unless the motor is pulled and half the time seized and a pain. I've never (personally) had a problem with a ticking from the rockers after doing a head job on a 3.1/3.4/3.8, I've never had a rocker bolt ever strip threads either. but i guess its possible like everything else is, good to know facts you stated though and ill be checking out that tool as well, thanks for your input =]
I have done three of these on gm minivans. I simply put the rockers back in their space and torque down the bolt. Only need to make sure the bolt gets seated. I don't recall the first two times, but the last time i torqued to 12 ft-lbs as recommended by the head rebuilder.
So, if you use the pushrod removal tool you shouldn't have to loosen the rockers at all, right? Dont have to turn the engine?
widtrak77 I used that tool doing lower intake on a 2002 Venture 3.4L and never loosened or took off rockers or turned the engine. I just put the new gaskets on and put the push rods back with the tool. No knocking, no problems. I'm about to use the tool again to replace the head gaskets. Yikes lots of fun on this f***ing van lol, and it's only at 125k miles.
I'll be tackling this project on my impala this weekend. great video thanks for pointers.
How did that go? Was the Impala much different than the Grand Am?
Hey you did an awesome job, I don't need a head gasket change anytime soon but I am certainly using this video to do so, thanks for making this video :)
AYER07 Doesn't Kid thank ya
Very good write up. I was thinking about doing one of these job but now forget it. Thanks for the warning haha
you're welcome lol
Hey man great video. One of the best I have found for front wheel v6s. Getting ready to go put in some work on a 1992 Plymouth Sundance Duster v6 3.0. Haven't done one yet. Car has been sitting for 3 years. Overheats and smokes pretty bad. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Very informative. Would like to see a full step by step reassembly. With the proper tools, I feel like I could do this. A list of tools would be great, especially for those without access to power or air tools. And how to deal with stripped and broken bolts. Always seems to be the problem that halts process completely.
I bought an air compressor from harbor freight for about $150, then borrowed an air ratchet and impact wrench from my dad, although you don't need air tools - just saves you a little elbow grease (and are frankly more fun to use). I also had a pretty large socket set available, but really you just need the set of those sizes most commonly used: 8, 10, 13, and 15mm. There were a few others I think. What I did was to watch the whole video, recording every tool he mentioned. Those little hook tools were useful. Depending on the car, ratcheting straps were also useful for hauling the engine forward if getting to the back of it is difficult like it was on my Rendezvous. Regarding broken bolts, I only had those in the head when removing the exhaust. When I had the heads machined, the machinist was kind enough to remove them for me in the process. I remember that part fondly - the heads came back absolutely immaculate, as clean as though they came from the dealership.
Starting this job in about 6 hours on my 03 Grand Am GT, man do I hope it goes well, this job is a first for me. Sure beats a $2,000.00 shop bill though, I ordered the whole gasket set bolts included 65.00 on ebay, free shipping.
Brother, you are a BEAST!!! AWESOME video!!
Dude, you are an insane wrench! Absolutely the shit.
Best video I have seen on this , and I have watched many 👍
Thank you for this video I did my head gaskets running excelente ☝️😇
You are a lifesaver thank you so much for all these videos
Thank you for this video. I wanted to know what a garage would be doing to my car.
Awesome Video, thanks too your expertise i now know how too replace my head gaskets
good right up man few things i wouldn't do that you did, but your a good tech. thanks for the awesome video!
Great video. I would pay top dollar for you to repair my Grand Am.
:)
I did not believe in the death penalty until my daughter's Chevy Venture van developed a blown head gasket.
You mentioned about the overheating and getting the heads shaved? Why's that? also the rockers don't need torque applied to it as well? my car has been out of commission because I'm afraid to fuck it up but I'll have no other choice because I don't have $400 for my mechanic to fix it. This video has been a big help, my mechanic told me the same things that you mentioned in here. If I have another question I will ask it that's fine.
WOW! you just amazing dr.mechcani professor.peace.
Amazing video! Thanks and great job detailing everything!!
police_state thank you
You sound like bob ross. "You aint gunna hurt nothing" lol. Your car was so compliant with you unlike mine
You're doin' God's work. Thanks a million, man!
If I was a shop owner and had a customer bitch about the price to replace a head gasket I would do him a favor and send this video to him and if didnt convince him of paying the price well then he can do it his dam self and good luck haha. Dam you got to take everything apart.
Going to buy an '03 Impala with the 3.4, guy was getting it cleaned up to sell but coolant was leaking into the cylinders. Caught him before he was going to to a complete gasket job and sell it for 2500, but if I take it as is I'll get it just below a grand. Had a 3.8 but it caught fire (which is why I'm not going back to LS) but one big relief for me is to see the power steering pump on top instead of BEHIND THE DAMN ENGINE.
168 people like this video so much, they turned their phone upside down to give a second thumbs up!
This video you made is excellent. Thank you for making this. I have a 2000 Grand Am 2.4 L head gasket that I have to replace. How much difference is it verses the 3.4 L. in your video?
This vid helped so much, thanks so much for doing this🙏🏼
Well done.Thanks for teaching.
GREAT VIDEO!!! A+++ Thanks for the visual aid. Very thorough with great tips. Hopefully I can complete it as fast as you did! Awfully nice day for a cold;)though.
Amazing video! I think this is the only video that covers everything and I am following every step as I am changing mine. But I have a problem, is the coolant air bleed pipe supposed to be hard to remove? I have the 8 mm bolt removed and I tried pulling it upwards several times, but it doesn't want to come off (it doesn't even move). All of the other hoses are disconnected and nothing is interfering with the pipe. I am thinking of using a rubber mallet next, but I wanted to consult with you first. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Excellent video. MUCH appreciated
+Beowulf 22 Anytime! Thanks for Watching
i have a 2003 grand am 3.4L v6 and was wondering bout rattle in the engine when cold and after when it warms up it goes away is that common to do that.
Also am wondering in my other 2003 grand am 3.4L v6 when you press on the peddle at take off it hops do you think that it maybe an engine mount problem.
Great video, first time going this deep into the engine and I feel very confident doing if after watching this video. Just wanted to ask in the comments though, any tips on future prevention of blowing the head gasket? Any sealers, silicones, certain torque specs I should use instead of the stock recommendations? Maybe welding the heads? Anything would be appreciated
I'd go with stock recommendations wherever you find them.
@@Atreus21 Got it, thanks man!!
Lots of bolts so it would be a great video to show the bolts as they are removed from what and state the size and a good pic of each bolt to make it easier to identify and replace very quickly. That would be the best breakdown video showing exact locations in slow motion on the engine for replacing the various parts such as the egr, vaccum lines so they can be easily identified by those that forget to remember them.
Did you not go back with the Felpro intake gaskets? Reason why I ask my middle intake facing for the gasket had an indention in it from the previous owner over torqued the gaskets.....probably made a mistake with foot-lbs instead of 10 in-lbs? the felpro has a metal piece made into the middle intake gasket material for the guide pen and believe me it was a pain and a guess as to how much sanding I could do to the intake facing. I did the best I could placed a tiny amount of gasket sealer on the indention and used a credit card to scrape the sealer smooth. It’s worked for a couple years but you can bet every now and then I wish I’d just found another intake.. I also had to spend 50 bucks for a heli-coil set (same head as the overtorqued intake. All rocker arms were fine except for One the aluminum threads came out with the bolt. Really I got the car for nothing but it turned to poop quick once I got into it and excited about it. Still runs great no oil use to speak of and no coolant leak.....but mine was a 3.1 with that stupid left front motor mount....I hated that thing.
Enjoyed the video
Nice work.. This will suck balls if I have to do this and it's looking like i will. Too bad you didnt show replacing those broken exhaust bolts :D
Robert Carlson the ones at the flange if they break just use a 13mm socket and the bottom come right out of it then just get a longer bolt same thread. pretty simple lol
I saw a video where they undid the head bolts (both sides) and left the exhaust and the cross-over pipe on. They then lifted both heads , with the cross-over pipe connected, off as one unit. Once they were out of the car, you could spray with pen oil or use heat to remove the stubborn bolts. Hope this helps someone.
Cool video however not looking forward to changing the gaskets this weekend. What is the best way to determine if the heads need to be machined? Also my fans stopped coming on at 200 degrees? Does that have any thing to do with the blown gasket? Thanks again!
Hey Gear Head Mech, Great video. I am doing a 2002 Impala Lower intake gasket. I leak a lot of oil externally and thought it may be from lower intake gasket. But it looks really wet with oil around where the head meets the block. Also I see oil in the valley where the lower intake is. My question is it possible that oil is leaking externally from the head gasket? Or do you think that it is just oil leaking from intake dripping down next to the head gasket. I hate to do more than needed but also would hate to not fix the actual leak. Been leaking for a long time. Does not overheat and just started to loose a little coolant.
Also what would I have to do if I did break an exhaust bolt while taking exhaust manifold off. You never showed how you were able to fix the ones you broke.
Thanks for any input