BHG repairing -How do the internals look?

[MWP]

So i got a BHG, and have just pulled the head off to fix it.

It was only a small BHG (pushing a little air/water into overflow bottle eventually draining the rad), clean oil.
No obvious defects in the HG seal.

This is how it looks....

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How does that look to you guys?
Typical?

Car has 160,000km (100,000 miles) on it, not sure if the engine has been rebuilt during that time.
Its gets 10W-40 full synth every 8,000kms and ULP98 fuel since ive had it (ie, its looked after).

 

[speedfreaq]

what type plugs are you running?
the plugs and the exhaust valves look a bit white though that could be due to the camera flash

 

[Sheldon]

what type plugs are you running?
the plugs and the exhaust valves look a bit white though that could be due to the camera flash

yep looks whitish... could be the flash as you said

 

[MWP]

Its not the flash, thats how they look.

Spark plugs are the recommended ngk iridium plugs.

 

[speedfreaq]

if they are that colour then try some colder plugs
as those are either running too hot or maybe even too lean
the plugs should have a brown coffee colour

 

[Sheldon]

what heat range are they and what mods do you have? looks lean

 

[MWP]

Not sure, will check on the heat range and report back.
... but you are right about it looking lean.

Mods of interest...
Rebuilt CT9
Ivan exst manifold / dump pipe
Electronic FCD
All factory fueling

It runs 14psi.

Bear in mind though that the last trip it did, it massively overheated due to loss of coolant (due to the BHG).
After it cooled down, it was limped back home (low revs, no boost).

 

[Sheldon]

fcd and stock fueling! ok that kinda explains why being lean.. is it an hks fcd?

 

[WallaceGlanza]

FCD and no fuelling, no wonder its/was running lean.

 

[speedfreaq]

^^^^ as a bove with an fcd and no fuel mods that would explain it bean lean

 

[speedfreaq]

and what boost are you running

 

[MWP]

As i said, max it runs is 14psi (= 1.0 bar).

It shouldnt run lean at 14psi with an FCD surely?
Factory boost cut is at 14psi and its still running rich at that point.

 

[Sheldon]

As i said, max it runs is 14psi (= 1.0 bar).

It shouldnt run lean at 14psi with an FCD surely?
Factory boost cut is at 14psi and its still running rich at that point.

if its an hks fcd it will lean all the way dude

 

[MWP]

Its not an HKS item.
Its some kind of Jap aftermarket item... no label on it.
Plugs into the wiring harness at the ECU.

I have opened and adjusted it to make sure it only clamps just before boost cut (4.1v).
Its also only a clamp, its doesnt alter the MAP voltage in any other way.

 

[Sheldon]

ic. well but it looks whitish eh? im not so technical but could it be that was running lean cos it was over heating before you took the head off?

 

[MWP]

Thats what im thinking...

The previous time i did have the plugs out, they didnt look as white.
I have been running more boost since then though.

 

[sx_turbo]

its a jam fcd so its fine.

nothing shouts out immediately on that dude, so i suggest u get the head skimmed, and check the block for flatness,

even if the block is only out by a couple of thou, it will still cause you to blow coolant out the bootle.

i know this as the same thing happened to me.

and has happened to quite a few others

 

[MWP]

Thanks...

I will be having the head dipped, hardness & crack tested and surface ground.
Maybe new stem seals too.

Suggested method to clean off the piston tops?

 

[tdo4starlet]

yes get the head cheked as i done it years ago thinking just put another head gasket on ,,,,,best get it checked first and put a thicker head gasket on while your there...

 

[sx_turbo]

yes get the head cheked as i done it years ago thinking just put another head gasket on ,,,,,best get it checked first and put a thicker head gasket on while your there...

why a thicker gasket?

that will just lower the compression, which may not be needed, and being a thicker gasket will be weaker than the standard sized gasket