Blown Head Gasket 94 Blazer

[yesimsteve]

Im a beginner mechanic..but im going to try to replace the head gaskets myself.. I have bought a Haynes Repair Manual and am just going to try to take it step by step.

Just wondering if anybody has any tips, advice or links on the internet that could help me.. I just bought a full gasket set from the autoparts store and a new timing belt.. I was told to replace the timing belt. Anything else I should be replacing??

Am I crazy for thinking I can do this myself? I just cannot afford the $1200 estimates I keep getting from mechanics.. I feel I have no other choice! This blazer is in GREAT condition..I really want to keep it running!

Any help is appreciated.. thank you!

[drdd]

follow that Haynes ...
safety first ...
take your time ...
tag and label parts and hoses as necessary ...
take time-outs to step back and think about each step that you're doing ...
use the right tools for the job ...
change your oil and coolant when finished ...
follow your torque specs ...
pint of Jim Beam ...

[dmbrisket 51]

bolts are not a dime a dozen out of a bushel basket, mark old oil qrts' with masking tape as to where your pulling bolts from, they are expencive, and most parts stores dont carry what your going to need if you lose the wrong bolt... take your time, assuming its a 4 banger your not in it to bad, its a fairly easy job, but as you noticed, expencive

[yesimsteve]

its actually a 4.3L V6.. and i have a cupcake pan that im gonna be putting the bolts in..

[Jeremy Fitch]

Are you 100% shure that its the ehad gasket that is the problem?

[Gabe25]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Fitch

Are you 100% shure that its the ehad gasket that is the problem?

That’s a very good question. What was the symptoms? Did you have low compression readings in one or more cylinders? Its very unusual for the head gasket to get blown unless you ran it when it was over heating. The more common thing that goes is the lower intake gasket. You could see water in the oil or even leaking around the heads, which looks like the head gasket is leaking. Let us know.

[yesimsteve]

My symptoms are the oil looks like it was whipped up like chocolate mouse color.. the car did overheat..When I remove the oil cap i see condensation.. also I saw water coming out of my tailpipe.

I was actually diagnosed by a mechanic.. im going to run to the auto store and pick up a compression gauge and check myself. Its better to be sure.. I will definately let you know! Thanks alot!

[Jeremy Fitch]

I would still lean more towards an intake gasket failure. But to get to the heads you will have to replace the intake gasket anyways. Let us know how the compression test goes.