Anyone replaced their head gasket themselves? I've got an 05 r52. Wondering how much skill/ time/ specialty tools I'm going to be looking at. Anything that is likely to be a wench to get off? I've done things like oil pan/ valve cover gaskets. Swapped out water pump and harmonic balancer. I have a Bently but I've never been that far in before and kinda on my own in a new city.

 

How hard of a job is it? It is really skill and confidence based. I swapped a cylinder head on my R50 and it took me about 7 hours from running it up on the ramps to burping the cooling system and going for a test drive. I did do a few other things in there as well like change radiator hoses and thermostat. If yours is an S model then the supercharger does add a extra layer of difficulty but nothing you can't overcome with a little patience.

Do you already have the head gasket and head bolts?

 

No I haven't ordered anything yet b/c if I have to go to the dealer they won't use them. Not that I want to. I'm just concerned I'll end up over my head lol. That'd be the confidence. Guess I'm paranoid b/c I'm redoing a careless mechanics work that managed to put parts on backward, not at all and damaged the car.

 

Not sure if you have an S or not, but here's a couple of videos on an R53.

 

Yes, it's an S, the 6spd. Thanks!

 

I don't consider doing a head job hard as it's more time consuming than anything just because of what all you have to take off. An R50 is easier than an S, but still similar and Mr Baker is actually one of our local customers so it was easy for him to stop by and grab the parts he needed.
We have a kit we use in our shop
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-he...0-r52-r53.html

I would have the head gone through and new guides and seals put in while you have it apart as that will keep you from having to do it later and make it just run that much better.

If you are really worried I know it's a drive but your welcome to bring it to us and you'll know it will be done right and not put together backward or hacked as we hate that.