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This is a $1,000 car I don't want to put any more than the minimum effort into the car. head gasket is blown so I just want to resurface the head and put on a new gasket but all the guides show how to do the timing belt too. I've read the guides but I'm uncertain if I need to do things like remove the motor mount, alternator stuff like that if all i want to do is the head gasket. Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 119

Indeed, if you have skill and appropriate tools, you can take the tension off the timing belt, slip it off the camshaft sprocket and disconnect the camshaft sensor without removing the engine mount or lower timing cover.

 
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Thank you!!

 
Rep Power: 222

For the $40 I would put on a new belt, but you do you

 
Rep Power: 119

The hardest part is removing the intake manifold, I would offer up to start with getting that first.

Then unbolting / removing the water passage on passenger side (technically the rear of the head) would be next.

Unbolting the exhaust would be next. My tip, wrap it with aluminium foil to keep debris / coolant spill out. Never risk exposing O2 sensors to glycerins ,glues and silicones that may be present in various “painter tapes”.

Next get the valve cover, spark plugs, timing cover, and the wire harness off.

Using socket on the camshaft bolt rotate engine until cam and crank are both on TDC marks. With plugs out it’s should be very easy to rotate.

Using a hook, remove tensioner spring from block stud and then pull belt off the camshaft sprocket.

Unbolt head.

Final tip, do not handle the camshaft sprocket without a leather / mechanics glove as the edges are razor sharp.

 
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Oh my, trust me... don't go to all that trouble without just putting a new timing belt on. It is a fraction of the cost of the time/parts equation. You will need to remove the drivers side motor mount and alternator and everything else practically to get the head off. It honestly isn't hard, just very time consuming. Go slow, follow the manual, follow torque settings, and make a checklist of everything to mark off during disassembly and assembly. Simple, now do the 8 hours of labor.

 
Rep Power: 229

It is possible. I did about the same to upgrade a camshaft.

Run at your own risk though, mine never had any issues by doing the fallowing, for over 2 years... but this could result in timing belt failure.


-remove valve cover
-remove upper timing cover
-clock the camshaft so that the timing marks are in line with the top of the head
-mark the timing belt and the corresponding cam gear teath in at least three spots
-unbolt the rocker arm assembly/valve assembly
-while holding the timing belt, lift the camshaft up from the free side on the left and slide it away from the timing belt.
-zap strap the timing belt to secure its position.