cylinder head removal

[LUV2XLR8]

ive done almost everything to remove the head noq apart from the cam belt backing plate, the plastic thing between the cogs and main lump.
i cant find where to remove this.
and i dont want to end up snapping it to remove the head.

any info would be great

[beavy69]

Not quite sure what you mean with what you have/havn't removed.

First you need to ideally drain you oil and water into separate uncontaminated containers if to be used again.

If you've got to the stage where you have undone the head bolts (the long ones - these now need replacing as the stretch into a fixed perminant position!) and there is nothing else that you havn't removed that could obstruct it's removal, and it still wont come off, give it a short sharp whack with a mallet (with wood protecting the head!) to free it from the gasket. Do this carefully on each side and that should do it.

[craig0120]

theres 2 torx bolts behind the cam pulley

[LUV2XLR8]

yea ive seen those torx bolts behind the pully, but wouldnt the cam pully still be in the way?

[craig0120]

oh right, thought you had took that off.
take the 17mm bold out then remove cam pulley then the 2 torx bolts

[LUV2XLR8]

ok, but wouldnt the 17 mm bolt turnt the cam? if all else fails i'l make a clean cut through the plastic back plate

[mikey14sr]

Standard cams have flats on them so you can use a big spanner to lock it with, failing that you can make a locking tool from some flat bar and a couple of bolts to sit in the holes in the cam pulley.

[LUV2XLR8]

cool,i dontnow if its standard but i will take a look and see what i can do ;~)

[craig0120]

i loosened mine before i took the headbolts and belt off. just put it in gear and undid it you can also use a impact gun but doubt you will have one

[LUV2XLR8]

yea, i havnt got one of those, i'l try the spanner locking approach.
see how it goes ;D

[Adam]

You need a massive spanner to hold the cam flats, i think its 22mm, or 24mm.
I was using 10 for ?1 spanners lol, and it snapped off my hand, so I undid the pulley whilst the belt was on and car was in gear.

You could have removed the two cover screws by just turning the engine over whilst the belt was still on, turn it over by hand until the two screws are visible through holes in the cam sprocket.

[craig0120]

or jsut put ur belt back on, put the headbolt back in not too tight though, put it in gear and undo the bolt

[LUV2XLR8]

ive got a massive spanner, (no jokes)
i'll give it a go, the engine is out of the car at the mo as it came from another vehical.
Shall give it a go tomorow, then i shall inspect the head to see if its worth saving.
thanks for the info again

[craig0120]

actually iv jsut remembered, the last one i did i locked the cam pully off with a pry bar through 1 of the holes and against 1 of the torx bolts