Cylinder Head Warpage Check - How to Measure Warpage

Summary

In this instructional video, the host demonstrates how to check for warpage in a car's cylinder head deck and block deck, which is crucial after suspecting a head gasket issue. The video emphasizes the importance of using a precision straight edge tool for accurate measurement, as a warped deck can lead to serious engine problems. The host shows how to use a feeler gauge to measure the maximum allowable warpage and discusses the consequences of a warped head, such as coolant leaks. The video also covers the process of resurfacing the head and installing a new gasket to ensure the engine's proper functioning.

Takeaways

• ⚙️ The video demonstrates how to check the straightness of the head deck and cylinder block deck for warpage, which is crucial after suspecting a head gasket issue.
• 🔍 A flat bar, not a straight edge or level, should be used for checking straightness due to its precision within 0.0005%, ensuring an accurate measurement.
• 📏 The maximum allowable warpage for the specific car model discussed is 0.05 millimeters, highlighting the importance of adhering to manufacturer specifications.
• 🛠️ The process involves placing the flat bar in different orientations (horizontal, diagonal) across the deck to check for any gaps that exceed the maximum spec.
• 🔧 If the maximum feeler gauge slides under at any point, it indicates the deck is out of spec and requires milling.
• 👀 It's important to check the deck in multiple directions, especially in the center, as this is a common area for warping.
• 🚫 The video warns against using inaccurate tools like levels for this task, as they are not perfectly straight and can lead to incorrect assessments.
• 💧 The script mentions a case where the engine block and head were warped, possibly due to low coolant or undetected cooling leaks, emphasizing the need for regular maintenance checks.
• 🚗 The car in the video is a 2010 Mazda with a 2.0 non-turbo engine, providing context for the specific application of the demonstrated technique.
• 🔄 After milling the head, the video suggests using a new head gasket, head bolts, and tightening them in the proper sequence to ensure a proper seal and prevent future issues.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is how to check the straightness of the head deck, cylinder head deck, and block deck for warpage, especially after suspecting a head gasket issue.

What is the maximum allowable warpage for the car discussed in the video?

The maximum allowable warpage for the car in the video is 0.05 millimeters.

Why is it important to check for warpage after removing a head gasket?

Checking for warpage is important after removing a head gasket to ensure the surfaces are flat and will seal properly, preventing future leaks and engine damage.

What tool is recommended for checking the straightness of the deck?

A flat bar with a straight edge that is straight within 0.0005 percent is recommended for checking the straightness of the deck.

Why shouldn't a straight edge or level be used for this inspection?

A straight edge or level shouldn't be used because they are not perfectly straight and may not provide accurate measurements, which is critical for detecting warpage.

How does the presenter check the deck for warpage?

The presenter checks the deck for warpage by placing the flat bar horizontally and diagonally across the deck and using a feeler gauge to measure any gaps according to the manufacturer's specifications.

What is the maximum feeler gauge measurement the presenter starts with?

The presenter starts with a feeler gauge measurement of 2,000, which is the maximum allowed by the manufacturer.

What does the presenter do if the maximum feeler gauge slides in anywhere on the deck?

If the maximum feeler gauge slides in anywhere on the deck, the presenter determines that the deck is out of spec and needs to be milled.

Why does the presenter check the deck in multiple directions?

The presenter checks the deck in multiple directions to ensure that any warpage, even slight, is detected as it can affect the sealing of the head gasket.

What is the condition of the head gasket shown in the video?

The head gasket shown in the video is in poor condition, with significant leaks visible around the cylinder, indicating warpage and the need for replacement.

What is the car model discussed in the video?

The car model discussed in the video is a 2010 Mazda with a 2.0 non-turbo engine.

Outlines

00:00

🔧 Checking Cylinder Head and Block Deck Straightness

The video begins with a tutorial on how to inspect the straightness of the cylinder head deck and block deck for warpage, which is crucial after suspecting a head gasket issue or after disassembling the engine. The presenter emphasizes the importance of using a flat bar as a straight edge, rather than a straight edge or level, for accuracy. The bar should be straight within 0.005mm, which is much more precise than a typical level. The process involves placing the bar horizontally and diagonally across the deck and checking for gaps with a feeler gauge. The maximum allowable warpage for the specific car model discussed is 0.05mm. The presenter also mentions that the head on this particular car was milled, and the block deck showed minor warping but was deemed acceptable after inspection. The video provides a visual demonstration of how to perform these checks and discusses potential causes of warping, such as low coolant levels or undetected cooling leaks.

05:02

🛠 Addressing Warping and Reassembling the Engine

In the second paragraph, the presenter continues the discussion on engine repair by focusing on the next steps after assessing the deck's condition. If the head deck is found to be warped beyond the acceptable limit, it needs to be milled. The presenter shares their process of milling the head, installing a new head gasket, and using new head bolts to reassemble the engine. They also stress the importance of following the proper sequence when tightening the bolts to ensure a secure and safe reassembly. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe to the channel for more helpful content, highlighting the presenter's goal to assist viewers in saving money through DIY car maintenance.

Keywords

💡Straightness

Straightness refers to the condition of being perfectly straight or level, without any warping or deviation from a straight line. In the context of the video, it is crucial for the head deck and block deck of an engine to be straight to ensure proper sealing and performance. The script mentions checking the straightness of the head deck and block deck for warpage, which is a deviation from the straightness that can lead to engine issues such as head gasket leaks.

💡Cylinder Head Deck

The cylinder head deck is the upper surface of the engine block where the cylinder head is bolted. It is a critical part of the engine as it provides the sealing surface for the head gasket. The video script discusses checking the straightness of the cylinder head deck, which is essential for preventing leaks and ensuring the engine runs efficiently.

💡Warpage

Warpage is the distortion or deviation from a flat or straight surface. In the video, the speaker discusses the importance of checking for warpage in the engine's head deck and block deck. Warpage can cause issues like head gasket leaks, which was the case with the car in the video where the head was warped, leading to coolant leaks.

💡Flat Bar

A flat bar is a straight, flat piece of metal used for various purposes, including as a straightedge in mechanical work. The script emphasizes the use of a flat bar, rather than a straight edge or level, for checking the straightness of the head deck and block deck. The flat bar is described as being straight within a very tight tolerance, making it an essential tool for accurate measurement.

💡Feeler Gauge

A feeler gauge is a thin, flat metal or plastic strip used to measure small gaps or clearances, typically in engines and machinery. In the video, the feeler gauge is used to check if the maximum allowable warpage is present on the engine deck. If the feeler gauge can slide under the deck at any point, it indicates that the deck is warped beyond the manufacturer's specifications and needs to be milled.

💡Milling

Milling is a machining process that involves cutting away material from a workpiece to achieve a desired shape or dimension. In the context of the video, milling is mentioned as a necessary action if the engine's head deck is found to be warped beyond the acceptable limit. The video's car had already been milled to correct the warpage.

💡Head Gasket

A head gasket is a seal that sits between the engine's cylinder head and the engine block, ensuring that combustion gases and fluids stay within their designated areas. The video discusses the importance of a properly sealing head gasket and how warpage can lead to leaks, as evidenced by the car in the video that had a leaking head gasket due to warpage.

💡Resurfacing

Resurfacing is the process of smoothing or leveling a surface, often by grinding or milling. In the video, the term is used in relation to the engine's head deck and block deck. If these surfaces are warped, they may need to be resurfaced to ensure a proper seal for the head gasket and prevent leaks.

💡Mazda

Mazda is a Japanese automotive manufacturer. The video specifically mentions a 2010 Mazda with a 2.0 non-turbo engine. The car serves as an example in the video to demonstrate the process of checking for warpage and the consequences of not addressing it, such as the head gasket leak that was discussed.

💡Coolant Leak

A coolant leak refers to the escape of coolant from the engine's cooling system. In the video, the coolant leak is a symptom of the underlying issue of warpage in the engine's head deck. The script describes how the car had a significant coolant leak, indicating that the head deck was warped and not sealing properly.

Highlights

Introduction to checking the straightness of the head deck and cylinder block deck for warpage.

Explanation of when to resurface the head deck or block deck after suspecting a head gasket issue.

The maximum allowable warpage for the car model discussed is 0.05 millimeters.

The importance of using a flat bar instead of a straight edge or level for accuracy.

The flat bar used must be straight within 0.0005 percent for precise measurement.

Demonstration of how to place the flat bar under the deck for inspection.

Using a feeler gauge to check for warpage according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Checking the deck in multiple orientations to ensure comprehensive inspection.

Inspection of the block deck for warpage using the same procedure as the head deck.

Discussion on the potential causes of warpage, such as low coolant or undetected cooling leaks.

Critique of cars without a cooling gauge, which may lead to delayed detection of issues.

Visual demonstration of a warped head gasket and its impact on the engine.

Steps to take after milling the head, including installing a new gasket and head bolts.

Advice on the proper sequence for reassembling the engine after repairs.

Encouragement for viewers to subscribe for more helpful automotive content.

Transcripts

okay today's video i'm going to show you

how to check

the straightness of the head head deck

and the uh the cylinder head deck and

the um

block deck for warpage if you have to

get it resurfaced or not

uh after you suspected a head gasket or

whatever you took it off

and you want to make sure uh that you

need it mine did need it this one

was milled it was already milled

um usually most

not i mean not every car but this car

two thousands

um right here

two thousand so zero point zero five

millimeter

was the maximum you could uh

you can get away with warpage so

basically you would check it

you would slide it under you would put

you have to have a flat bar don't you

don't use a straight edge you don't use

this type of um i see people using these

um

levels that is not a perfect straight

edge this thing is is

straight within point zero zero zero

five percent like ten thousands five ten

thousand seven eight so it's extremely

straight see

the edge is completely machined on one

side

if you don't have this tool then you

might as well not do it because it's not

gonna be accurate

okay what you would do is you put let me

uh

zoom this out a little okay what you

would do

is you would put it you would put it

horizontal in the middle

then you would put it

diagonally like that then you will put

it

diagonally like that and of course

you're going to check

with the feeler gauge whatever the

manufacturer says mine happens to be the

maximum is 2 000 so that's what i start

with the maximum

if the maximum would slide in anywhere

across the whole deck if it goes under

it's at a spec and it would have to be

milled

all right the same thing goes for

straight like this

you would check especially in the

centers over here that's usually where

they

where they walk

if it doesn't go on the other way it's

inspect

yeah see and what i would like i said

you do it this way diagonally and then i

like to do it

even like this where the water passages

are you go

and this way

this way i would think like 10 or 15

times i like to do it i don't like to

just do it

straight horizontally and then

vertically three ways what happens if

it's warped a little bit over here so i

like to cover

basically here here here here

here here here all the way out there and

the same thing with this this way

and same thing like that okay now on the

block

you got the same procedure see if i

show you i cleaned it up a little bit

but you see this black is basically was

warped

the head was warped first and now the

block i think is a very very little

warp uh it's just just inspect so i'm

gonna leave it alone

but it was leaking there leaking here

and i'll show you the head gasket

see the head

all gasket let me see it sure you better

this way

okay you see this look at that

how bad it was leaking through there

there and there

even on this side look at how bad that

is see how it's leaking through

in other words like you see over here

it's nice and clean that's supposed to

be clean

all the way around the cylinder so you

know

you see that's not clean so you know

it's not sealing it warped and water was

burning

water like crazy if you saw my other

video you would see this is the mazda

all right this is the 2010 mazda with

2.0

non-terrible and you see all three of

them as well

why it warped well maybe it ran low on

coolant maybe it had a little bit of a

cooling leak and the owner didn't pick

it up

in time and again this car has no

cooling gauge which is ridiculous

so basically once something fails the

light comes on

and you and you know it's it's

ridiculous

they do that so i i believe they do that

just to make money

but anyway if they're not the only ones

they'll do it

all right so the same thing over here

you would have to

get the flat edge straight edge i mean

and put it there and yeah i'll show you

let me get the um

i get the gauge i believe this one just

goes under

see it just just goes on the

not all the way though so i think i'm

okay

see not really so of course i gotta do

it always i gotta do it

i gotta like i said do it this way this

way keep going this way

um vertically on both sides and see

where i'm at but i think i'm pretty good

on that

so i mill the head put a fresh gasket on

our new head bolts and everything talk

it down in the proper sequence

and we should be good to go with this

car all right this is motocronrt2020.

uh please uh subscribe i have a lot of

videos coming in the future

i keep saying that i'm just building up

the channel

and just trying to you know help people

help people out

save them some money that's what i'm all

about all right guys thanks a lot see

you next time