Head gasket

Tiny
KIMLOOFE
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 144,000 MILES
I have a 2003 RAV 4. I am changing the head gasket which is a chore and I am down to the gasket itself. I got all 10 bolts off but the darn thing will not come out. What step am I missing? It seems to have something else holding it on/in there, but it is loose and moves but doesn't come off. HELP!
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 AT 5:58 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
There are two dowel pins that also hold it just get a screwdriver and pry around the pins and gasket should come up. If the dowels come up drive them back in with a light tap of hammer.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 AT 6:35 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
I'm sorry for some idiot reason I was thinking Honda and not Toyota. But yours is very similar It is not uncommon to have to scrape the head gasket off of both surfaces block and head. Make sure it is all off prior to installing new gasket. Ther eis gasket material remover available at auto parts, you spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes then scrape off gasket. I am including apic of Your engine not a HOnda. Sorry again.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 AT 9:31 AM
Tiny
KIMLOOFE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I will try that. But this Toyota engine still does have the dowel pins correct.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 AT 9:42 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Yes they will be on the ends like the other one I pointed out. But like I said a lot of times the gasket has to be scraped off
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
KIMLOOFE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Here's a question- Does the timing chain cover need to be removedto let it free?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
How did you get eth clinder head off without removing the tchain cover? Its bolted to head and you need to take timing chain off as wellas timing gears. Make sure you align all timing marks before pulling head
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 AT 12:34 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Cylinder Head Gasket Replace/Remove Content

VIEW MORE