How do you replace a head gasket on a 97 Saturn?

Answer 1

To replace a head gasket on ANY internal combustion engine, you'll need to remove the head. That requires that you pull intake and exhaust manifolds first.

Remove any peripheral hardware (Serpentine belt, AC Compressor, intake manifold, exhaust manifold...)

Remove the valve cover.

In the case of your Saturn, remove the dampener pulley front engine mount, oil pump/front cover.

Position the engine to #1TDC.

Remove the timing chain tensioner assemblies, the timing chain sprockets and the timing chain.

Remove the head and take it to a reputable automotive machine shop.

The machine shop will be able to determine if/how much the head is warped. Note that a blown head gasket is almost ALWAYS the result of an overheated head that has warped.

The machine shop will also be able to resurface the head and verify the condition of the valves, guides and seats.

Note that there is a small hole in the camshaft and a corresponding hole in the head. Use a drill bit other round rod to hold the camshaft in the #1TDC position to match the position of the crankshaft.

When replacing the head, tighten the bolts in an 'X' pattern using a calibrated torque wrench. Specifications typically recommend that the head be tightened in 2 steps, but some prefer 3 even steps.

Replace the timing chain using new slides. Install the tensioner assembly last.

Once the head is back on the engine, replace all of the peripheral hardware.

Note that most mechanics will remove the engine to perform these tasks.