2000 Pontiac Sunfire Head gasket replacement

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zac_vankeuren

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I am going to start the project on thursday or friday of replacing the head gasket, I am just looking for some tips to help it go smoothly....I already know the torque specs and sequence as well as the timing marks. This is my first head gasket replacement so really any info would be greatly appreciated! 2000 sunfire 2.2L Auto
 
Take lots of pictures when you take it apart and you should have no problems. Make sure you support the engine when you take the top mount off.
 
problems...

So, I did not support the engine( wish I would have). I got everything together and have come across a few problems. #1 runs rough, engine shakes more then normal and i basically have no power after 3k rpms. #2 the radiator inlet pipe (i believe its called) the steel pipe that connects to the side of the head and wraps around the front, had a hold in it and was all rusted out so I replaced it. Except now it is leaking right where it connects to the head. It is brand new and all bolts were put in and the support bracket and everything so I am pretty confused! any help would be greatly appreciated!
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how many miles on the engine and as long as you had the head off did you have it checked by a machine shop? did you go back over everything to make sure you have no intake manifold leaks anywhere? do you have a check engine light on? did you try a compression test? did you pull the plugs to see if one or more cylinders are not firing?
 
issues somewhat resolved

I found out that due to a newbie mistake I forgot to put the o-ring on the coolant pipe! I also forgot to put an electrical clip on the fuel rail...once fixing those the coolant is no longer leaking and the motor is not shaking so much. It is almost back to normal except once i plugged that clip in I got a slight ticking noise from the fuel rail area....any ideas on why that would be happening
 
160k on the engine...had the head machined as they had to take off 13 thousandths to get it where it needed to be.** I actually posted an update before this but it said it had to be ok'd by an admin.
 
the ticking could be the injectors
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No, they tend to make a noise, you didnt notice it before the head gasket job?
 
Nope, I didn't hear anything like that before the head job. I also have more power now though ( then right after I did the head job) but it tends to rattle loudly around 3500+ rpms, otherwise seems to run just fine besides the ticking coming from the injectors.
 
drove it around the block twice, now it's a knocking. knock knock knock pause knock knock knock knock knock..pause and so on.
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try a piece of rubber hose, hold one end near your ear and move it around to find the source of the noise.
 
I don't have any rubber hoses...but just from standing close it seems to be coming from the back area of the block towards the bottom, under the head for sure.
 
what exactly was the reason and the method you used to determine you needed a new head gasket?
 
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