Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: terry paget on 04 August 2015, 21:13:13

Title: Changing head gasket on a 2.2 - manifolds on or off?
Post by: terry paget on 04 August 2015, 21:13:13
Forum guide recommends removing both manifolds from head. Haynes suggests they can be left on; of course that means separating exhaust manifold from cat section, never easy, involves blow torch on 4 bolts manifold to cat section. Removing manifolds from head is more attractive, though risks shearing off exhaust manifold studs. What do you experts advise?
Title: Re: Changing head gasket on a 2.2 - manifolds on or off?
Post by: Lazydocker on 04 August 2015, 21:15:43
Depends if you intend to have the head tested and (possibly) skimmed ;)
Title: Re: Changing head gasket on a 2.2 - manifolds on or off?
Post by: SIR Philbutt on 04 August 2015, 22:27:05
There's enough room to move out of way and relatively easy to remove/refit from/to head, don't have to remove fuel & water and vac connections on inlet and the gaskets are normally in the kit, so why not  ::)
Title: Re: Changing head gasket on a 2.2 - manifolds on or off?
Post by: steve6367 on 04 August 2015, 23:11:04
I've only done it once but I think it would have been a nightmare with manifolds in place - they would just be in the way. Once you have head off and on the bench any snapped manifold studs can be dealt with easily.

Steve
Title: Re: Changing head gasket on a 2.2 - manifolds on or off?
Post by: tunnie on 04 August 2015, 23:42:06
I've never had an issue with removing 4 bolts for exhaust manifold, on the 2.2?

A good blast of plus gas few days before, allowing heat and cool works well. From underneath crack all 4, then from above remove all 4 by hand.

Done it twice, to remove cat section for a new flexi, I found it quite a nice job.
Title: Re: Changing head gasket on a 2.2 - manifolds on or off?
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 05 August 2015, 07:21:51
As Tunnie says the 4 down pipe bolts are quite kind on the 2.2

I like doing the job with both the manifolds off. Makes life easier :y
Title: Re: Changing head gasket on a 2.2 - manifolds on or off?
Post by: plym ian on 05 August 2015, 22:07:32
When i did mine i took manifolds off just found it easier to lift off.
Left the exhaust manifold connected to the downpipe but undid the bracket under the car on the exhaust to pull it clear