4afe head problems

[splavin90]

today i took off my head on my 4afe, because my engine was burning coolant.
it was not dripping out, no leaks, but the exhuast was white (like steam) and i would have to fill up the radiator every 10 minutes.

so i figured that it was a head gasket leak. so i spend all this time taking the head off.

and i take out the last bolts, and the head gasket looks fine. there was no rips or tears. i am going to go get the head resurfaced tommorow.

my question to you is: do you think that my HG was bad? or is there something else that it could have been?

when i took off the head there was about 1teaspoon coolant in cyl 2 and 3,

also- another question-
I got a gasket kit that came with valve oil seals.
should i have my mechine shop grind down my valves and install my oil seals for me?
i am semi-knowledgable about cars. (enough to take my head off) everyone i've talked to said valves are really hard to do.

would grinding down the valves help pass DEQ too?

how do i check if the bottom end of my engine is good?

my car is a 92 corolla with 185,000 miles on it.

[Flashmn]

It might be a very small leak, doesnt have to be a tear or a rip. Thats like the worst case.

when i took off the head there was about 1teaspoon coolant in cyl 2 and 3,

might be from removing the head

You dont have to grind the valves to install new oil seals, I wouldnt do that valves if they're ok.

would grinding down the valves help pass DEQ too?

DEQ?

[Donald]

I just did the head gasket on my '92 and it looked good. Anyway the head was warped 0.008, so I had it shaved. So far it works good, no leak.

If the valve faces get ground, you should check the valve/cam clearances and adjust with the shims. It might cost a little extra but I reccomend the valve grind. I didn't do mine because I am planning to swap in a 7A engine in the near future. Do the valve guide seals wheather you get the valve faces ground or not.

[Flashmn]

It might cost a little extra but I reccomend the valve grind.

Why would you suggest it? If the valves seal properly (can be checked), then theres no point and no need in grinding them. If he really wants some valvejob, lapping would suffice. Grinding valves will need valve seat modification too, thats shitload expensive and chances are you're gonna have leaky valves, if its done improperly.
Also he'd have to have the valve lash re-adjusted.

[punter]

Originally Posted by Flashmn

Why would you suggest it? If the valves seal properly (can be checked), then theres no point and no need in grinding them. If he really wants some valvejob, lapping would suffice. Grinding valves will need valve seat modification too, thats shitload expensive and chances are you're gonna have leaky valves, if its done improperly.
Also he'd have to have the valve lash re-adjusted.

Exatally, if it aint broken don't fix it. And yes I've done a HG job where the gasket looked perfect. (was a metal gasket mind you).

[Donald]

You are both right. lapping in most cases will suffice. A valve job is not necessary if the valves don't leak, but check them well just to be sure.