2003 MCS R53 has 107K miles (stock) I love the car but……. The local service shop diagnosed him as having a blown head gasket. Their diagnosis was based on the color of the coolant. The story is that he overheated in SO Cal traffic got him pulled over quick and towed home. I could not find any coolant leaks and he runs fine, no check engine light, no codes. The 5 amp fuse that operates the radiator fan was blown, the 30 amp is ok. With the fuse replaced the fan runs good. I did the dry compression test today and it looks like I have a leak between number 1 and 2 cylinders.
#1 100PSI
#2 96PSI
#3 120PSI
#4 130PSI
It sounds like the diagnosis was correct. I have no milky cream build up on the oil filler cap and the oil looks fine. No bubbles in the coolant reservoir and the coolant looks clear to me. I was about 16 oz low on coolant after the overheat though. I did the white paper test at the exhaust tips and found no signs of moisture.
The last head gasket change I did was on the 1986 Dodge 318 that I had a few years back (ok, quite a few years back). I’m not too afraid of doing this job myself but want to make sure I know what to expect going in.
?? My questions for the experts are??
#1 Is there anything else I can do to make sure this is really necessary?
#2 As long as I am this deep, what else should I replace? Timing chain, water pump??
#3 I am planning on having the head resurfaced, how do I know if that’s necessary? Should I have the valves done as well??
I plan on ordering the special tool set that includes the engine support and timing chain removal tools, I thing it would be helpful rather than making something up (any input?)
I have read the threads on changing the gasket and I have the Bentley manual to use for reference but I value this group’s opinions and wanted to ask the experts for their advice. This is truly a great group!! Unfortunately, the other option I am looking at is trading him in on something a little more dependable. I’m having difficulty coming up with $2700 for the dealership repair bill.
Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

I think this is doable for you. I did a cam and it was not bad at all. Also there are things you can look in to while there. On ebay they sell supercharger oil kits and you can replace and inspect your supercharger while there. I got a new timing tensioner and that makes it easy for reassembly. The tools would be nice, but I was able to use a screwdriver in the rotor and a jack to replace them without much trouble. Personally, I think a waterpump is a good idea, then again if it is good, it is good some say. You need new head bolts and a cam bolt, the valve cover gasket is really hefty and easily could be reusable. Finding a part place that will take returns may be useful. You can get everything, then just send back what isn't needed.