I started into disassembly to replace head gaskets after seeing some higher temps (not overheated) and finding my fairly fresh green antifreeze was a weird rusty color. I did a combustion gas test and it confirmed head gasket. Not completely surprised as I know my vehicle had very questionable maintenance by the po, I’ve had it about a year. Anyhow, in taking my intake off I have a question I wanted to pose, the bolts closest to the middle cylinder on the passenger side were very oily, though it almost smelled like gas/oil-mix…see pics of the bolt, pass side are on the left in picWhat is also weird is the middle bolts on the driver side also had some oily substance but not nearly as much as the pass side. I’ll be taking the heads off tomorrow to really see what might be going on. Thanks!

 

If that's the radiator in the bottom picture, it's no wonder you're seeing high temps. It's clogged up, allowing less air flow. Less air flow, less cooling. Clean those fins and see what you get.
Pat☺

 

No, that's not the radiator. It's the side of the head in the valley.
I wouldn't worry about the oil on the bolts. just clean everything, maybe run a tap for the heck of it, and reassemble.

 

Thanks for the feedback! Just wanted to make sure it wasn’t anything to worry about. I’ll definitely run a thread chaser through the head and intake bolt holes.

 

Any update?

Edit: Thanks for the update.

 

Sorry, I had another thread that I was paying more attention to, I found a dimple in the head surface so I decided to take them to a machine shop for a good cleanup and resurface. I couldn’t find anyone in the area (Wilmington, nc) that was less than about $1k to do a full valve job and head rebuild, so I am going to go with a good cleanup and put it all back together. It ran great even after I discovered the blown head gasket so I feel like this is an ok route for now. This isn’t a daily driver or high performance off road rig so I just really want to get it back in the road for a decent investment and keep enjoying it. I’ll post some pics when I get the heads back.

 

Finally got everything back together and it fired right up! I have to get the timing adjusted in the morning but I do believe everything is for the better now.

For the record I took the heads to a machine shop, he did a light resurface to take out the dimple and made sure the valves were all seating properly. He said there was no warping. I put everything back together with new gaskets/o-rings/seals everywhere possible and gave it a go. Decided to do EGR delete since I don’t have to worry about inspection and it made the passenger side of the engine bay so much nicer and and even get to all spark plugs easily now!

I’ll update after a couple days of driving!

 

Well she’s been on the open roads for a week now, one trip out on the beach and no movement of the temp needle! Even yanked out a cherry tree stump this afternoon with no problem. I’d say we’re good with the resurface job on the heads and full gasket replacement including water pump and timing belt kit.