equip list, things to watch for, head gasket project

[roverformygirlfriend]

2004 D2, 92k mi.

Need to replace head gaskets on this. What is the equipment list that I will need. I am replacing the head bolts. Also what are the torque specs that I need.

Any help is appreciated and wish me luck on the project.

[roverformygirlfriend]

help!

Any help on this is very much appreciated!

[Mjollnir]

The right place

You are in the best place to find that very information, but not here on the forum. Speak with one of the RN specialists who will provide the exact Genuine parts and required torque specs you are looking for. They are the best source, hands down.
I have a '99 DII w/122k, and soon I am adding a '96 DI SE7 5 speed w/145k to the family (yeah, you read that right-almost as rare as a unicorn). RN is where I will continue to go not only for Genuine parts (the DII would not be working without RN), but the best guidance anywhere.
Good luck with your '04DII.

[kh500]

2004 D2, 92k mi.

Need to replace head gaskets on this. What is the equipment list that I will need. I am replacing the head bolts. Also what are the torque specs that I need.

Any help is appreciated and wish me luck on the project.

You need a manual for sure to refer exact spec.
Have them in handy.

If you don't have one, check this link ==> http://www.landroverresource.com/


It's good time to replace other items - water pumps, hoses, belts... while engine head is out.

good luck!

[roverformygirlfriend]

thanks, i have been a rn customer for 10 years.

[roverformygirlfriend]

nice

nice pic. real nice

[roverformygirlfriend]

kh500, thank you for taking the time to document the process for replacing the headgaskets. what were the surprises when you did this? what do i need to watch out for?

[Rineheitzgabot]

A big surprise for me the first time I did one was how difficult the couple head bolts nearest to the firewall were. If you're not careful, they will strip, and cause much bigger problems.

If they've never been done, you may have to dent-out the firewall metal a bit, just to get your tools in there, on the drivers side. Make sure the head of the bolt is nice and clean (don't try to put the socket on with oil pooled up in there, as you may not be able to tell that debris is keeping the socket from sitting properly on the bolt-sop of the oil, and Brake-Kleen it), make sure the socket fits perfectly, and make sure you have a long, break-over bar in order to break it loose. They are a b!tch. All of my tips are elementary, but every Disco I have worked on, had this issue during the head gasket project.

If you can, get a vacuum pump to remove the coolant, as it will be everywhere during this whole process, if you don't.

Replace the thermostat while you have it apart, they are less-than-reliable, and with a coolant system as delicate as the DII has, you can't afford to have a weak point.

Pay extreme attention to the gaskets when re-applying (not just the head gaskets).

Minor detail: The damn screw that holds the dipstick to the valve cover is a pain as it can get lost easy, but requires too much attention if you need to fab one from a #10.

You should be able to find a good guideline on how to do this from a technical publication, and the guys on LandRoversOnly dot com are very helpful; Particularly, a guy by the name: PTSCHRAM.

Also, once you get it complete, talk your girlfriend into selling it asap! Get her an RRC, or D1. Much less of a problem. The DII is an engineering project, that has never been complete, IMO.

If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

Hope this helps.

Gary

[kh500]

kh500, thank you for taking the time to document the process for replacing the headgaskets. what were the surprises when you did this? what do i need to watch out for?

Two head bolts nearest to the firewall were difficult. Like other post described, make sure bolts are clean and socket is fully set before applying force. I had my buddy helped me to secure the socket in place.

[kh500]

This bolt.

It was not only close to the wall in tight space but in deeper spot insdie firewall. (Firewall is not a flat wall but concaved inward to hug the engine .)
There might be other way but I had to use universal joint adapter and my buddly pressed hard to secure the socket firmly. Make sure you feel the socket is in place firmly and force is getting applied securely.

[Rineheitzgabot]

For me, the more difficult one was the bolt that is north of the one pictured, that is recessed in the head; both sides. Oil pools up in there, and makes it hard to tell if you are on the head, correctly. That's why I say sop up the oil, brakeKleen it, and then place the socket on it.

[discocrazy]

those back head bolts are a pain!!! did you replace your timing chain and gears while you were doing the head gasket replacement? If so what tool did you use to get the crankshaft pully off? I'm stuck.

[kh500]

those back head bolts are a pain!!! did you replace your timing chain and gears while you were doing the head gasket replacement? If so what tool did you use to get the crankshaft pully off? I'm stuck.

No timing chain replacement.
I didn't go that far.