How to Reinstall Other Parts When Replacing a Blown Head Gasket

Proper re-installation of the engine components surrounding the valve cover is extremely important as incorrect installation of some of these components, such as the spark plug wires, will prevent your car from starting. After finishing your repair of a blown head gasket, make certain to reinstall all the removed parts in the proper order.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Start from one side of the engine compartment and work your way over and towards the front. This is a better method than skipping around. which can cause you to forget something or to mix up parts.

2. Reattach the power steering pressure line by lining up the two holes and sliding the bolts into place. Tighten them slightly with your hand first to make sure they line up properly. Use a speed wrench to tighten them down gently. Most engine components are made of aluminum now, so they are not as hardy as steel.

3. Seat the PCV valve on the grommet it came from and give it a squeeze to hold it into place. Depending on your vehicle and engine, you may not have had to remove this to get to your valve cover; if not, you can skip to the next step.

4. Put the vacuum hose back on to the component it was removed from and check to make sure it is securely in place. Reinstall your spark plug wires. They all go into a particular place, so they should be numbered or you can consult your vehicles repair manual. Make sure each one pops into its corresponding clip before moving on to the next one.