Hey everyone, I'm in over my head on this head gasket replacement and need a little help.
1) Exiting freeway Blue/Black smoke out the back, then white steam from under the hood. Lost all power. Radiator empty, Oil ok. Did a radiator pressure test. Cyl # 4 filled with antifreeze. No mixing of oil & antifreeze though. When I drained the oil pan, antifreeze came out then oil, but were separate, no mixing. So I've taken everything off (including the vanos) and am down to the head, .
2) Here's where I'm questioning myself... When I try find TDC, and the cam shafts line up for the jig, the piston is on a down-stroke (not TDC), and I can't get the flywheel pin in. When I put the pin in and the piston is at TDC, the cam shafts don't line up. I didn't have any engine issues but could my timing be off and not notice it?
3) The machine shop told me I have to have the cams off the head, so I was thinking (correct me if I'm wrong), Since I have to remove the cams, does it really matter if I don't secure them, as long as I have the locking pin in and the piston is at TDC? I can still take the timing chains off and set the cams properly when I put things back together. Help!
Thanks