One of the common problems to encounter on a Mack E6 engine is a blown head gasket. Having a blown head gasket is not a serious issue.When an engine has a blown head gasket, the head gasket has to be replaced, not repaired. Calling a mechanic to fix this can be very costly, so hopefully reading this article can teach you how to replace the head gasket by yourself.
The first is to make sure the head gasket is blown. The symptoms of a blown head gasket are overheating, compression leaks in between the cylinder head and the engine block, coolant bubbles from the radiator, and coolant mixed with oil.
After you’re convinced that you have a blown head gasket, it is time to replace it.
The first thing to do is to order a new gasket. You can find head gaskets and other parts for your Mack E6 engine at ProDieselParts.
Once you have your new head gasket, follow these instructions to replace the Head Gasket on your Mack E6:
- Drain the coolant from the radiator so that the coolant will not enter the engine when you remove the head gasket. Use a bucket to collect the coolant, rather than pouring it on the floor.
- Remove the valve covers. There are two valve covers; one covers the first 3 cylinders, the second one covers the last 3 cylinders.
- Loosen the injector’s pressure pipe from the injector’s ends and the injection pump’s ends.
- Looosen the rocker’s arm and remove the push rods.
- Now it is time to loosen the cylinder head bolts. Ensure you remove all the bolts and studs that hold the cylinder head to the engine block. *Remember to remove the coolant hose that supplies coolant to the cylinder head.
- You also need to remove the turbo and separate the exhaust system from the cylinder head. After doing that separate the intake manifold from the cylinder head.
- Check if nothing holds the cylinder head so that you can lift it off. You should know that this will require more hands because of the weight of the cylinder head.
- After removing the head, you can finally remove the blown head gasket.
- The next thing to do is to prepare the engine block deck by cleaning it. Ensure the surface of the engine block is clean as well as the surface of the cylinder head.
- You can now install the new head gasket.
- After installing the new head gasket, ensure the cylinder head is accurately torqued according to the manufacturer’s torque specs.
- Install every other component you have loosened.
- Don’t forget to put fresh coolant into the radiator.
- You also need to do valve adjustments after the installation of the rocker arm.
Note: Don’t put the valve cover until you are sure there is oil on the rocker’s arm.
You can now cover the valve cover and check for any leaks, whether coolant or oil. If there are no leaks, that is how to install a new head gasket on the E6 Mack engine.
