Head gasket replacement

[jensenchase]

I'm new to the forum and I am going to go get a red festiva 1.3L with 220,000 miles for $100 and I'm trading an xbox. The car has a bad head gasket(smokes bad, water in oil) and I was wondering if there is a how to thread any where? And is this a interferance motor? Is it a hard job to do? Thanks!

[Spike]

Welcome to the forum, Jensen - and welcome to Festivas.

The Mazda B3 engines (what Festivas have) are non-interference, so if the timing belt flies off, throw another one on and keep going. As to your other question, I'm sure someone has made a thread at some point. If you try to use the search function at the top-right of the page, it can yield quite a few results. If there's too much, try putting it in quotation. Such as, "head gasket", ect. It'll narrow the results down quite a bit.

I haven't done a HG yet so I can't really help there. Just wanted to welcome you aboard! Also, we want pictures!#!#@

[25Horseplay]

Head gasket is pretty easy if you have basic mechanical skills. best bet is to get a manual at your local auto parts store.

[TominMO]

Head gasket is pretty easy if you have basic mechanical skills. best bet is to get a manual at your local auto parts store.

+1 on getting a Haynes manual. Pictures, explanations, torque specs, etc.; anything you don't understand after consulting it, you can ask here. Two specialty parts only--a torque wrench, and a 12-point 12mm socket for the head bolts.

[Skrapbob]

The torque wrench can be rented at several McAutoparts stores. Just finished my first ever head gasket repair. It can be done! ask away

[jensenchase]

Thanks for the responses! She's a 1989 Festiva 1.3L EFI Automatic with A/C. Got a good deal on it and am excited to get it on the road again. I need seat covers and am going to put in new black carpet after I get it running good.

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[zoom zoom]

Nice! I don't see the usual rust either so it looks like you have a solid car to start with. It'll be worth every penny you put into it.

Make sure you get the head worked over at a machine shop, don't ever pull a head and put it back on without having a machine shop plane it first. For the price and with that many miles on it go ahead and get a 3 way valve job and do the valve stem seals too. It will feel almost like a brand new engine when your done with it. Shouldn't cost more than $150.

[jensenchase]

OK, I was looking at my engine and I tried removing the timing cover and it looks like I need to remove the motor motor mount to remove it. Is this true?

[shadetree]

Nope! But there is a bolt hiding behind the water pump pulley .

[jensenchase]

Thanks for the quick reply! I also found some black watery stuff in my MAF sensor and my intake hoses, is this normal?

[shadetree]

On a high mile engine yes ! It's usually worn piston rings .
Clean as much out as you can and do a seafoam piston soak for at least two days . Fixed .

[TominMO]

Nope! But there is a bolt hiding behind the water pump pulley .

Once you get the timing cover off, cut it so that you don't need to use that bolt hole. Or just don't put that bolt back in. Many people also cut the face of the timing cover so that it won't contact the water pump pulley.

[jensenchase]

I started the festiva and let it run for a couple minutes and I tried to start it this morning and it would act like its getting no spark. I didn't mess with anything else. Any thoughts?

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