Head gasket haaaaaaaalp!

[thescr33nn4m3]

B20b Turbo.

Looking at my motor the front left (closest to the trans) seems to be leaking coolent. I searched around, looking for damaged hoses and found none. While driving today, with it being hotter then hell outside, I noticed that my gauge was reading higher and was fluxuating depending on speed. (like being stopped reading higher, crusing was reading a tad higher then normal)

So I'm going to embark on a lovely head gasket replacement. I've been doing some research and the arguement is always between cometic and OEM. What does KCSR prefer?

Also, I was looking into getting ARP head bolts, but when I look online I can only find B20 with VTEC head. Do I just use head bolts for a b18? Am I blind or just being retarded here?

And lastly, would you recommend taking the head to a headshop getting it checked out or just bust out the ol' straight edge and check it when I take it off?

Sorry for the long post this is just my first time doing a head gasket and want to be prepared.

[Turboed4]

ls head studs are the same as b20. use an oem gasket and yes take the head to the machine shop.

[Dester223]

I see coolant hoses and or the water neck leak more coolant in that area than HG. If it leaks enough from the HG to get out there then you should have serious issues with oil/coolant mixing. (from where oil and coolant passages are)

[thescr33nn4m3]

I see coolant hoses and or the water neck leak more coolant in that area than HG. If it leaks enough from the HG to get out there then you should have serious issues with oil/coolant mixing. (from where oil and coolant passages are)

I just checked all over and didn't find any wet pipes. I will PM you.

[thescr33nn4m3]

I think I figured out what the problem is. The lack of my dump tube, lets my wastegate just pour exhaust on my fan / radiator. Well I melted part of my fan and seemed to fuze itself to the radiator. I'm letting the car run and see if I see coolent shooting out of there anywhere.

All the white spots are coolent that was shot all over my engine bay..fml

Here is the corner of the head that looks like it's leaking.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/thescr33nn4m3/SAM_0228.jpg

Radiator fan being destroyed by lack of dumptube.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/thescr33nn4m3/SAM_0227.jpg

Inside hole:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/thescr33nn4m3/SAM_0229.jpg

[thescr33nn4m3]

Figured it out, the radiator isn't leaking nor is it the headgasket. It's actually the lower radiator hose going into the thermostat. The coolent that was present on the block was coming from a small drip from the coolent temp sensor in the head.

[bks84]

Figured it out, the radiator isn't leaking nor is it the headgasket. It's actually the lower radiator hose going into the thermostat. The coolent that was present on the block was coming from a small drip from the coolent temp sensor in the head.

That's what I was going to suggest! Checking that specific sensor.