head gasket swap after P0301 code

[Odyssey USA]

I remember that bolt being a huge pain. Good you got it out. I feel like when you leave it for a bit and come back to it fresh that does help.

This bolt comes out on a head swap too right?

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[SadRobot]

This bolt comes out on a head swap too right?

I think so if the cats need to come out for the head gasket swap. When we did the engine swap I feel like every bolt on the Jeep had to come out.

 

[HHGadget]

Right? I don't think I even own a 3/8" breaker bar. Although I have probably 4 or 5 breaker bars in 1/2" drive.

Get out of my head. That was my first thought.Why don’t i have a 3/8ths Breaker bar and now that you mention it… should I?”
Its a sickness i know.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Get out of my head. That was my first thought.Why don’t i have a 3/8ths Breaker bar and now that you mention it… should I?”
Its a sickness i know.

If you don't have this ratchet, you haven't lived. https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-x-6-inch-flex-head-quick-release-small-body-ratchet-srh31506

Then there's this one for the hard stuff.
https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-x-12-inch-flex-quick-release-ratchet-srh31112

I think it's time for my monthly Tekton order.

 

[HHGadget]

If you don't have this ratchet, you haven't lived. https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-x-6-inch-flex-head-quick-release-small-body-ratchet-srh31506

Then there's this one for the hard stuff.
https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-x-12-inch-flex-quick-release-ratchet-srh31112

I think it's time for my monthly Tekton order.

Not to derail the OPs thread but a 14” long handle, 100 tooth 3/8 socket wrench has saved my biscuits many times on tight areas with stuck bolts in high heat (exhaust) locations. Those extra couple teeth were massive time savers on a stuck catalytic converter bolt up against a firewall.

 

[RenegadeT]

I think the 3/8 breaker bar came with my OG Craftsman mechanics set from the 1900s. I know for a fact I've broken/bent/returned that a few times for a brand new one. Maybe used the 1/2 ratchet as a breaker bar if needed, again Craftsman where a new one was always an option from Sears. Now that's changed, and I am a little more respectful to my Made in USA Craftsman tools.
I did stop by Lowe's last night and grabbed a Craftsman 1/2 breaker bar. That thing reeks of low quality chinesium. We shall see.

As far as nuts/bolts in tough places...I've never owned a flex-head ratchet, been using the 3/8 breaker bar for flex if i need to start a tight-ish bolt, then just put the socket, plus an extension if needed, on the fastener and spin it by hand. To supplement my lack of flex head ratchet, I discovered flex head stubby gear wrench combo open end/ratchet end, another lifesaver.

I wrench a lot more than the average person, but honestly have been pretty slack and unmotivated to. There's a CJ frame-off project and 2 XJs in my yard I've been ignoring. The reason I bought this 'new' JL Wrangler Rubicon (3yrs old, under 10kmiles) was so I could get out and wheel something and not have to worry about wrenching on it. Sigh.

 

[RenegadeT]

This bolt comes out on a head swap too right?

I'll confirm in soon, but I don't think the lower bolts have to be completely removed to yank the heads.
Each cat has 4 bolts; 2 on top that go thru the cat flange into head, and 2 below that go thru an intermediate clamping bracket that seats the cat flange to head. The top 2 are easy to remove. The bottom/rear on both sides are tough to access. On the pass. side, it seems like there's no room to completely remove this clamping bracket, so I wiggled the cat up/outboard, then snugged the lower bolts and the clamping bracket back into the head without clamping the cat flange. It looks like there will be enough clearance to pull the head straight off the block.

 

[roaniecowpony]

...

I wrench a lot more than the average person, but honestly have been pretty slack and unmotivated to. There's a CJ frame-off project and 2 XJs in my yard I've been ignoring. The reason I bought this 'new' JL Wrangler Rubicon (3yrs old, under 10kmiles) was so I could get out and wheel something and not have to worry about wrenching on it. Sigh.

My brother just retired and he's in a similar situation. His old SBC CJ is a runner but needs some work and he's eyeing a new JL to have something reliable to wheel. I guess "reliable" is a relative term.

 

[RenegadeT]

Alright, time for a little keyboard time, order some parts and get this back together.

 

[Graphite JL]

You're making good progress. What other parts are you replacing 'while you're in there'?

I'll be doing this job soon as well, i have a cylinder 3 misfire and losing coolant. A borescope showed that cylinder to be perfectly steam cleaned!

How many hours in are you so far?

 

[HHGadget]

Some assembly required. Whew!
Good work brother.

 

[RenegadeT]

You're making good progress. What other parts are you replacing 'while you're in there'?

I'll be doing this job soon as well, i have a cylinder 3 misfire and losing coolant. A borescope showed that cylinder to be perfectly steam cleaned!

How many hours in are you so far?

I figure about 26 hours to get to this point. That's about 5 separate days of 3-5 hrs, then an hour here or there.
All basic handtools except the pneumatic impact for the crank pulley bolt and one of the cam phaser nuts to get the timing chain off.

Got a set of these electric disconnect pliers a while back. Lifesavers.
https://www.amazon.com/Electrical-D...sc=1&msclkid=2d806c893a9a1542afc804460981dfa4

also for hose clamps i bout one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Flex...-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

you can get them at Autozone, etc as well last time i looked. Major time saver for those hoses that you can't get some pliers near.

I did pony up for basic radiator hoseclamp pliers; very helpful. I did not get the remote/cable version quoted here.

Way to much time and curse words were spent on electrical connectors, what a pain. By the time HHGadget posted that link, I had already done several connectors with std pliers and screwdrivers. Last week after prime day, these popped in my feed for like $8 so I couldnt resist. I did get the chance to use the angled pliers behind the head. It worked well; would've been nice to start the project with them.

And then there's the several hours at night watching instructional youtube videos
NiX FiX- 2018+ Jeep Wrangler JL Head Gasket Replacement parts 1 & 2
MotorCity Mechanic- Chrysler/VW 3.2 and 3.6 Rocker Arm Replacement
plus the rabbit hole of suggested videos after that

As far as parts to replace...I'm still deciding. My rear 2 cylinders look awful with carbon deposits. I'll post the pics separate post.
Of course all the basic gaskets, Mopar OEM. They have a couple different kit p/n's with overlapping content, need to sort that out. None of them include the head gaskets themselves.

PCV valve
Thermostat
Spark Plugs
Oil cooler (probably)

Head bolts looked alright, I'm leaning towards reusing them. Factory service manual even says its OK to do so if they're not necked down/yielded.

The cylinder heads are the big unknown to me. I haven't inspected closely for flatness. With the carbon build-up and oil fouling, it maybe be simpler and almost as cost effective to just get a new set.

and the Mopar sealant...

Don't forget to use the right sealant. The Mopar stuff is made by Threebond. They also made Yamabond and other sealants. Good stuff. Threebond is labeled by GM, Mopar, and many other major manufacturers. It's the best stuff I've used. Don't skimp here.

 

[HHGadget]

Might make sense to get a quote on having the heads inspected and serviced by a local machine shop.
Mine were $400 a piece to have serviced.
Glad you liked the electrical connectors pliers. For that price, if you use them more than once they have paid for themselves.
I had one connector on my other car that refused to budge with any tool i had.
After wasting hours on it, a friend recommended the pliers so i bought the cheap set…. and with one squeeze i had the bastard off. I was sold.
Have since used them on my wrangler several times and was grateful to have them, especially with the axle locker on my front that was also putting up a fight in an awkward space.
Keep us posted, you are brave enough to do this job where i wasnt.
Kudos.

 

[Pape]

If you don't have this ratchet, you haven't lived. https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-x-6-inch-flex-head-quick-release-small-body-ratchet-srh31506

Then there's this one for the hard stuff.
https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-x-12-inch-flex-quick-release-ratchet-srh31112

I think it's time for my monthly Tekton order.

Big box store but this is my default ratchet

 

[Odyssey USA]

Might make sense to get a quote on having the heads inspected and serviced by a local machine shop.
Mine were $400 a piece to have serviced.
Glad you liked the electrical connectors pliers. For that price, if you use them more than once they have paid for themselves.
I had one connector on my other car that refused to budge with any tool i had.
After wasting hours on it, a friend recommended the pliers so i bought the cheap set…. and with one squeeze i had the bastard off. I was sold.
Have since used them on my wrangler several times and was grateful to have them, especially with the axle locker on my front that was also putting up a fight in an awkward space.
Keep us posted, you are brave enough to do this job where i wasnt.
Kudos.

Which connectors do these work on? I’m also curious how they work.

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