2003 Tahoe coolant system leak or head gasket leak?

[SnowDrifter]

Bolts yes. Static item, not TTY.

arms no. Moving, wear surfaces.

 

[iamdub]

No Rtv on the head gaskets correct?

Absolutely not. Just clean, flat metal-on-metal.

It looks likethe bolts are 22 ft lbs, 90 second turn and then 70 final. Rocker arms are also 22 ft lbs as well? Seems a little much for those little bolts. Any wierd idiosyncrasies you all can think of before they go back on.

SnowDrifter got you sorted out!

 

[tomloans]

So I have worked very hard at cleaning the mating surface. But the surface remains stained for lack of better words. Take a look at the picture please Chris. The surface feels smooth but the stains are still there. This is the hardest part I think.

 

[Fless]

So I have worked very hard at cleaning the mating surface. But the surface remains stained for lack of better words. Take a look at the picture please Chris. The surface feels smooth but the stains are still there. This is the hardest part it think.

@iamdub alert

 

[Tonyrodz]

@iamdub alert

 

[tomloans]

View attachment 364644

Lol

 

[iamdub]

So I have worked very hard at cleaning the mating surface. But the surface remains stained for lack of better words. Take a look at the picture please Chris. The surface feels smooth but the stains are still there. This is the hardest part I think.

That's beautiful!

Staining is perfectly fine. If you can't feel it with your fingernail, as if you were trying to scratch it off, then it's just a stain and is completely harmless.

 

[tomloans]

I don't know how to thank you Chris. This is a killer write up. I sprayed "deep creep" by seafoam on it and that seems to soften everything up and it all came off easier than brake cleaner. Anyways I just cleaned the intake thoroughly and replaced the two o-rings on each injector as well. Injectors were super clean. I spray the deep creep on the block again overnight and going to see if there is anything left on the block tomorrow. Then I will brake cleaner all again including bolt holes and use the compressor to blow everything clean then the heads will go on. Which me luck and concentration. Thank you Chris.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Before you put the heads on

Lets have a closer look at those cylinder walls

They look shiny in the pic. How are the cross hatches?

 

[tomloans]

I don't know what cross hatches means? I will take pictures and send but let me know what that means. The cylinder walls look perfect.