Lumina 95 Headgasket question

[Rhondalumina]

I have just received a 95 lumina from my sister-in-law. I had repaired her ignition problem once before by soldering her extra key to the wires under the dash because it wouldn't start due to the resistance not working at the ignition. It has run fine since but now it is having problems with a lower headgasket. She is getting a lot of coolant in the oil and it is now sitting in my driveway waiting to be signed over to me. I am wondering One; is changing the head gasket a huge job, and two; I am very mechanically inclined but have never really gone to the depth I am assuming it will take to change them. There is a slight knocking in the engine, but it comes and goes. The car ran fine before it was parked just a week ago, and I know that knocking can mean some really serious issues, but if there is anyone who can help me I would sure appreciate it.

[jeffcoslacker]

The lower intake gasket is more common than the head gaskets. The coolant will destroy the main bearings pretty fast if driven with coolant contamination.

A piston skirt slap when the motor is cold is common with 3.1's, and they have various other clatter from valve train and sometimes timing chain tensioner...if it comes and goes it's probably not too serious.

Once you get the leak fixed, change the oil with the cheapest crap oil you can get (try Exxon Superflo at Autozone), then change the oil and filter again in a couple hundred miles with some good stuff and see what you got...

[jeffcoslacker]

1994-96 VEHICLES

See Figures 19 and 20
Fig. 19: Unfasten the retainers, then remove the upper manifold


Fig. 20: Lower intake manifold removal-1995 3.1L engine shown

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner and duct assembly.
3. Properly relieve the fuel system pressure as outlined in Fuel System .
4. Drain the cooling system into a suitable container.
5. Remove the coolant recovery reservoir.
6. Remove the serpentine drive belt.
7. Disconnect the accelerator control and cruise control servo cables from the throttle body.
8. Remove the accelerator control cable bracket and move the cable assemblies aside.
9. Unfasten the thermostat bypass pipe clip nut from the upper intake manifold.
10. Remove the automatic transaxle vacuum modulator pipe assembly.
11. Disconnect the power brake booster vacuum hose from the manifold.
12. Unfasten the engine mount strut assemblies from the engine.
13. Rotate the engine assembly, as outlined earlier in this information.
14. Detach the electrical connectors from the ignition coil assembly, then remove the ignition coil.
15. Remove the alternator front and rear braces.
16. Tag and detach the electrical connectors from the manifold assembly.
17. Disconnect any necessary vacuum hoses.
18. Remove the MAP sensor and the EGR valve assembly.
19. Unfasten the retaining bolts and screws, then remove the upper intake manifold (plenum) assembly. Remove and discard the gaskets.
20. Disconnect the fuel feed and return lines from the lower manifold assembly.
21. Remove the fuel rail.
22. Remove the power steering pump pulley, then unfasten the power steering bolts. Position the pump aside but do NOT disconnect the fluid lines.
23. Disconnect the heater inlet pipe from the manifold.
24. Detach the upper radiator hose from the engine.
25. Remove the tie straps from the heater outlet pipe and the ignition wiring harness assembly.
26. Disconnect the heater pipe from the heater core-to-water pump assembly.
27. Remove the rocker arm (valve) covers. Remove and discard the gaskets.
28. Unfasten the lower manifold retaining screws, then remove the manifold from the vehicle.

To install:

1. Thoroughly clean all gasket mating surfaces.
2. Apply a 0.08-0.11 in. (8-12mm) bead of RTV sealer on the each ridge where the front and rear of the manifold assembly contact the engine block.
3. Position the manifold on the block using a new gasket. Hand-tighten the vertical, then the diagonal retaining bolts/screws after applying suitable sealer to the threads. Tighten the vertical, then the diagonal bolts/screws to 115 inch lbs. (5 Nm).
4. Install the rocker arm (valve) covers, as outlined earlier in this information.
5. Attach the heater pipe to the heater core-to-water pump assembly.
6. Fasten the tie straps around the heater outlet pipe and ignition wiring harness assembly.
7. Connect the upper radiator hose to the engine.
8. Position the power steering pump and secure with the retainers.
9. Install the power steering pump pulley.
10. Install the fuel rail assembly. Connect the fuel feed and return pipes to the fuel rail.
11. Position the upper manifold assembly, using new gaskets. Secure with the studs and bolts/screws. Tighten the bolts/screws to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
12. Install the EGR valve and the MAP sensor.
13. Connect any necessary vacuum hoses and electrical connectors to the manifold assembly.
14. Install the alternator front and rear braces.
15. Install the ignition coil and attach the electrical connector.
16. Rotate the engine assembly back to its original position.
17. Install the engine mount strut assemblies to the engine.
18. Connect the power brake booster vacuum hose to the manifold.
19. Install the automatic transaxle vacuum module pipe assembly.
20. Fasten the thermostat bypass clip nut to the upper intake manifold assembly.
21. Install the accelerator control cable bracket and the accelerator control and cruise control cable servo assemblies to the throttle body.
22. Install the serpentine drive belt and the coolant recovery reservoir.
23. Install the air cleaner assembly.
24. Fill the cooling system. Connect the negative battery cable.
25. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature and check for coolant and oil leaks.

[jeffcoslacker]

Don't forget to properly bleed the cooling system when done, and don't mix up any pushrods you remove...