Headgasket & Injector Verification?!?!
 

Hey Guys! I'm planing on doing some general maintanace here in the next few weeks. I need to go in an change the timing belt, waterpump, possibly the starter (have the clicky no start deal). While I was there I was thinking on just going ahead and taking the head off and changing the head gasket. Nothings wrong with the ones that there NOW, but I was thinking of getting a nicer metal gasket possibly thicker...I dunno what are you all's thoughts and if so what kind of head gasket do you suggest?

Also have stock greddy setup right now and car seems to run real rich. I know the vortex FPR with the stock disk does run on the rich side and it could be the retarded timing I'm feeling. Still seems like maybe when I bought the car someone put 1.8L injectors in it when NA?!?!? Is there anyway to verify by looking at a marking on the injector which they are?

Thanks
Dan

Head Gasket: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Injectors: 1.6's are blue, 1.8's are beige.

Head gasket is pretty much a one time use... so you'd have to pay the coin for a replacement.... Not really worth it if it's not broke. If you are worried about it, do the compression test/leak down before you yank the head.....

Also if you are having a no-start condition... check that you don't have a problem with the ignition switch. Drop the panel under the dash, and pull the switch apart. If you have any burnt connections, then that's probably the source. Mine wouldn't start occasionally, then it got worse. Turned out half the plastic was melted... and it was definately crap.

Dave,

Just a side note the 1.8 injectors from 99+ are red and are narrow unlike the 94-97 1.8 injectors that look just like the 1.6 injectors but a diff color. I actually thought I got ripped off when I received my 1.8 injectors, but I checked by pulling an injector out of my friends 99nb and they were identical.

if you're going to change the head gasket, use the OEM one. It's really very good for boost. M2Cup found a seller on ebay selling the oem upper gasket set at a REALLY good price.

Instead of installing an aftermarket all-metal head gasket, i would highly recommend a set of ARP head studs. you should be able to find those for less than $100. worth every penny.