Is there a way of telling if the head on a 1999 sunfire is warped without taking it to a shop?

I am going to challenge changing a head gasket and need to know what to look for. thanksIs there a way of telling if the head on a 1999 sunfire is warped without taking it to a shop?If the engine has been severely overheated, the aluminum cylinder head may be warped. As long as you're taking it off the car to replace the head gasket, why not have it checked out by a local machine shop? Call around and ask what they would charge just to gauge the head.



If the head is warped, but not too badly, you'll face a decision about whether to have it milled to make it usable again. This is called %26quot;decking%26quot; the head. It can affect the engine's compression ratio, although a mild decking shouldn't affect it beyond the computer's ability to compensate.
Is there a way of telling if the head on a 1999 sunfire is warped without taking it to a shop?
if it an alloy head it has to be skimmed if you dont have it done thers a very strong chance the head gasket will go again within days
Is there a way of telling if the head on a 1999 sunfire is warped without taking it to a shop?
most all the time you will find that you need a new head ..is there water in the oil? this wiil make the oil turn into what looks like a coffee milkshake,a sign of a cracked cyl. head,if there is just water/antifreze disapering,and or steaming out the exaust,you may get lucky and just change head gasket.to see if the head is cracked look for hairline/extremly small cracks between valves.alum. heads will crack even when the car has only overheated one time...good luck!
with all the work involved have a machine shop check it...
If you have over 80,000 miles on the motor you should have the valve guides checked and the valve seals replaced anyways. You only need to put a good straight edge against the head to check for warp using a feeler gauge.I resurface a head if it's .004%26quot; or more warped.It would also be a good idea to have the head pressure tested to see if there are any cracks internally. Do you have a torque wrench and know how to torque cylinder head bolts? On many vehicles you must replace the head bolts. Replace the thermostat if the car overheated as a precaution.

You also need to clean out the holes in the block where the head bolts go, if there is oil or water in the holes from when you remove the head the head bolts will not torque correctly and all your work will be for nothing.